Issue - meetings

To approve the list of schemes to be funded from the Improved Better Care Fund including the pooled contribution by the Council for 2024/25, and the plan for resources as set out in paragraph 2.6 and Appendix 1 of the report.

Councillor Seccombe introduced the report which detailed the list of schemes to be funded from the Improved Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2024/25.  She reminded Members that the fund had been agreed by Cabinet last summer, noting that there was no inflationary lift.

Councillor Seccombe explained that the BCF was a joint programme with the NHS which aimed to enable people to stay well, safe and independent at home for longer and ensured the provision of care was in the right place at the right time.  She requested approval of the allocations as identified in the report.

Councillor Roodhouse asked if there was any news on social prescribing and recognised the restrictions placed on the Council in this area as a result of only receiving annual funding.  He asked how Cabinet would reprioritise the list of allocations if there were issues in the future.

Councillor Peter Butlin explained that commissioning was time limited with exit clauses built in and agreed that further projection for finances would be preferable but unfortunately, the current situation dictated short term funding only.

Councillor Seccombe supported the comments made regarding one year funding which meant that officers could not forward plan or future proof schemes.  She advised that hospital social prescribing had agreed partnership contributors for six months, with the Council and the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to review this.

The recommendations were outlined as per the report.

Resolved

That Cabinet

1)    approves the list of schemes to be funded from the Improved Better Care Fund including the pooled contribution of £15.133m by the Council for 2024/25 (as agreed between the Council and the Warwickshire Integrated Care Board) and the plan for resources as set out in paragraph 2.6 and Appendix 1, and

authorises the Executive Director for Social Care and Health, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health, to make such changes to the list of schemes as she considers necessary as a result of any amendments to the Better Care Fund Policy Framework.