Issue - meetings

This report is to provide Health and Care Board with an overview of pooled budget arrangements between the council and CCG, the associated reporting and governance arrangements. It includes the Better Care Fund (BCF) financial plan for 2019/20 at appendix 1.

Andy Rothery introduced the report by saying that a new Better Care Fund (BCF) plan must be submitted to NHS England during 2019/20 for a sign off.  The financial plan and the proposed schemes under the pooled budget were put forward in February 2019 and approved by the Joint Commissioning Committee with the agreement of the Finance and Performance Committee and S151 Officer of the Council. 

Andy Rothery moved the recommendations.

Sarah James seconded the motion by saying that the report has provided an overview of pooled budget arrangements between the Council and CCG, and the associated reporting and governance arrangements which would further develop working arrangements.

Councillor Dine Romero welcomed the report with a concern that BCF would be part of the pooled budgets until year 2021, and asked what would happen after that date.

Andy Rothery responded that the Council and CCG would be waiting for an outcome of the Government’s Adult Social Care Funding (England) Green Paper, although there was strong assumption amongst Councils nationally that the funding would continue beyond 2021.

Councillor Richard Samuel commented that BCF started 6 years ago, and that Government’s funding has been shifting every year.  Councillor Samuel expressed his concerns on the considerable risk due to lack of Government’s initiative to set the long term funding.  One of the major risks was current political situation in the country which should not be ignored.  Councillor Samuel hoped that more information on this matter would be available shortly, which would be shared with the Board.

Mike Bowden commented that Council and CCG were trailblazers in terms of the pooled budget arrangements, and that our integrated approach would continue to deliver joint outcomes and services for our residents.

Tracey Cox agreed with Councillor Samuel that national position was not helpful.  Tracey Cox added that NHS funding was not at risk as much as the Council one; nevertheless, B&NES CCG’s commitment to this matter was serious and they would continue to be part of the pooled budgets scheme.

Dr Ian Orpen thanked everyone for their comments by outlining that the benefits of pooled budgets scheme were to provide services for the residents in the best possible way.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Health and Care Board noted the contents of the report in particular the funding contributions, management and monitoring arrangements.