Better Care Fund (BCF)
Councils are finalising Better Care Fund agreements for 2026/27, while addressing overspends and implementing new neighbourhood health models.
Barking and Dagenham Council and the North East London Integrated Care Board are establishing a new Section 75 agreement for the Better Care Fund (BCF) for April 2026 to March 2027. This follows Hillingdon Council's approval of a £76.3 million Section 75 agreement for the same period in September 2026. Ealing Council also approved a £60 million BCF plan for 2026/27 in September 2026, which has been submitted to the national team. Brent Council's Cabinet approved a £57 million agreement for 2026-27 in July 2026.
Financial challenges persist, with Brent Health Board reporting a £1.3 million overspend on its 2025-26 BCF in August 2026, funded by the West and North London Integrated Care Board. Hammersmith and Fulham's Health and Wellbeing Board approved a £528,165 overspend on community equipment in June 2026, following a contract collapse. Meanwhile, Ealing Council is implementing a new Neighbourhood Health Model, discussed in September 2026, to deliver integrated, preventative care closer to home.
The Better Care Fund (BCF) is a national programme pooling NHS and local authority funding to integrate health and social care services, aiming to help people stay independent longer and prevent hospital admissions. No upcoming meetings are currently listed where this topic is scheduled for discussion.
Key facts
- Barking and Dagenham Council and the North East London ICB are setting up a new Section 75 agreement for the Better Care Fund for April 2026 to March 2027. Source
- Hillingdon Council approved a £76,342,227 Section 75 agreement for the 2026/27 Better Care Fund in September 2026. Source
- Ealing Council approved a £60 million plan for the Better Care Fund for the 2026/27 financial year in September 2026. Source
- Brent Health Board reported a £1.3 million overspend on its Better Care Fund for the 2025-26 financial year in August 2026. Source
- Brent Council's Cabinet approved a Better Care Fund agreement worth over £57 million for the 2026-27 financial year in July 2026. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.