Issue - meetings

20 minutes

To approve the B&NES Better Care Fund Plan for 2025 to 2026.

Laura Ambler, (Executive Director of Place, B&NES BSW ICB) introduced the report and drew attention to the following:

1.  The Better Care Fund (BCF) was owned by the Health and Wellbeing Board and Laura Ambler/Suzanne Westhead were the accountable officers.

2.  There was a requirement to submit a plan with a list of schemes and KPIs.

3.  The narrative plan had been circulated to the Board and more details could be provided on request.

4.  This year’s plan had objectives around sickness prevention and was clearer about the link with the NHS plan and how the BCF was making a difference.

5.  The plan would see £27m of investment in various activities focused on prevention, effective hospital discharge and community/home care.

6.  She asked that thanks be recorded to the team working on the BCF.

In terms of the future of the BCF, Suzanne Westhead reported that:

1.  At a recent meeting of Directors of Adult Social Care, Stephen Kinnock MP had stressed the importance of the BCF but confirmed that it would be reviewed.

2.  Baroness Casey would be leading a review of adult social care and there would be an opportunity to feedback views on the success of the B&NES integrated model.  A further comment to feedback was the importance of investing in unpaid carers.

In response to questions, it was confirmed:

1.  The BCF did not target schemes associated with children and young people.  The Government channelled the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) through the BCF and there was a separate grant for children which was not funded through the BCF. 

2.  Health and reducing inequalities were embedded in the schemes.

The Board RESOLVED to;

(1)  Approve B&NES BCF plan for 2025 to 2026.

(2)  Recognise the contribution of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), an integral element of the Better Care Fund, which enabled people to remain in their own homes.