Issue - meetings

There will be a presentation at the meeting. Copies of the slides are attached.

Tim Richens, Divisional Director Business Support gave a presentation to the Panel on ‘Financing of the Better Care Plan Fund’ (a full copy of the presentation slides is on the website and available in the minute book for the Panel). The presentation covered the following:

·  Better Care Fund (BCF) – Background

·  BCF – Budget Summary

·  BCF – Changing Requirements

·  BCF – Key Financial Changes

·  BCF – Specific Priorities

·  BCF – Further details

·  The Care Act – Background

·  Phase One – April 2015

·  Phase Two – April 2016

·  Financial Implications

·  Next Steps

The Divisional Director informed the Panel that this item is going to the Health and Wellbeing Board on 17^th September.

Panel members asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Barrett asked if Curo and other social landlords are involved. The Divisional Director explained that he thought that Curo would be involved especially regarding social housing. He explained that regular providers are engaged.

Panel members discussed the target regarding reductions in emergency admissions. Councillor Haeberling explained that better care in general brings down emergency admissions. Councillor Bull stated that the onus is on the local authority to reduce the number of admissions, not hospitals.

Councillor Barrett asked if new funding was being put into to this area, the officer explained that it is not new money to the NHS, it is about how to spend existing money with a change of focus.

Councillor Haeberling stated that this Council has been integrated with the NHS for a period of time so we can be seen as a leader in integration.

Regarding the Care Act, the officer explained that this is a major piece of legislation. Regarding a question about taking on staff to implement this he stated that staff had been taken on but that there had also been some government funding. He explained that the implementation date is 1^st April 2015.

Councillor Macrae asked about having a single national standard regarding care funding. The officer explained that the second phase (April 2016) would bring in means testing. The officer further explained that assessments have been made about the proportions of retired people in the area but it did depend on who presents themselves.

There was some discussion around the worst case scenario in terms of a shortfall. The officer explained that it would be difficult to predict because it is demand led.

Councillor Macrae explained that he felt encouraged that the finance team have a good grip on the figures but questioned the Panel receiving this information pre-decision.

Councillor Bellotti explained that the information has been given at this stage so that the Panel get some ideas of the discussions the Cabinet will be having. He explained that although political groups will have their priorities, most would want to fund this.