Agenda item

This paper gives an update on the development of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy’s Implementation Plan and an explanation of the Better Care Fund Funding arrangements.

The Director of Public Health introduced this report to the Panel and highlighted the following sections from within it.

The B&NES Health and Wellbeing Strategy’s Implementation Plan

The B&NES Health and Wellbeing Strategy was approved by the Health and

Wellbeing Board in March 2023.

The Strategy has four key priorities:

(1) Ensure children and young people are healthy and ready for education

(2) Improve skills, good work and employment

(3) Strengthen compassionate and healthy communities

(4) Create health promoting places

Since the writing of the strategy a Strategy Implementation Plan has been written that sets out actions to be owned and delivered by partnerships and teams against the four priorities above. This Implementation Plan was approved by the Health and Wellbeing Board in June 2023.

The Implementation Plan was developed through extensive and iterative collaboration with individuals, teams and partnerships involving colleagues from the NHS, local VCSE groups and the Council, linking with existing strategies and working with current capacity.

Extensive effort has been made to ensure alignment between various strategies and implementation plans currently being developed or refreshed that impact on the health and wellbeing of the B&NES population.

A process by which implementation of the Strategy and its impact will be monitored, understood and reported back to the Board for discussion and assurance is in development and will be overseen by the Health and Wellbeing Strategy Steering Group. A proposal for this process will be brought to the Health & Wellbeing Board in September for agreement.

Better Care Fund arrangements

The Better Care Fund (BCF) is a coming together of funds and strategies for the ICB, Council and DHSE to create integrated planning, development and delivery in adult health and social care. The Fund has been in place since 2015 with a growing set of guidance and direction as to how funds should be deployed.

The Health and Wellbeing Board is the responsible and accountable body for the deployment, monitoring and impact of the BCF. It is expected that the outworking of the annual BCF narrative plan, that is submitted to DHSC, reflects the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the priorities and interests set out by the Health and Wellbeing board and its constituent members in line with the guidance.

The Health and Wellbeing Board is expected to receive regular updates on the delivery and implementation of the BCF and to also annually agree the narrative plan setting out priorities and commitments.

The plan for 2023/5 was submitted to and approved by the Health and Wellbeing Board on 20 June 2023 and submitted to the national team on 28 June 2023.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if the Better Care Fund was managed HCRG.

The Director of Public Health replied that it was not and that the fund is managed by the Local Authority.

The Chair referred to the governance of the Fund and that it was monitored by the Health & Wellbeing Board. She asked what opportunities there will be in the future to scrutinise any of these decisions.

The Director of Public Health replied that there was a strong governance process in place and that the Health & Wellbeing Board was the last point in the chain following the agreement for areas of development and projects based on need.

The Assistant Director - Integrated Commissioning added that the national timetable had changed to a two year allocation and that this had been welcomed. She added that investment in technology was really important and that she would be happy to receive further feedback.

Laura Ambler added that the Panel should be assured of the robustness and rigour that is carried out with regard to the Fund and said that significant discussions are held about schemes within the Better Care Fund. She added that they were aware of the need for some areas of work to become more targeted.

The Chair stated that she would welcome any additional information on this matter to be submitted in good time so that the Panel can play a part in the process when required.

The Director of Public Health stated that she was excited to have the Implementation Plan in place as it showed how aligned our services are and said that the shift towards prevention has been key.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the update that had been provided.