Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked those who had volunteered to sit on the sub-committee for their commitment. 

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A report requesting approval of the final version of the Better Care Fund Plan for 2023-25 submitted to NHS England on 28 June 2023; along with a request to note the Better Care Fund Policy Framework and Planning Requirements for 2023/25.

The Sub-Committee received a report which outlined the Better Care Fund Policy Framework and Planning Requirements for 2023/25. 

In addition, the report highlighted the Better Care Fund Narrative Plan and Planning Template for 2023-25 which contributed to the wider Health and Wellbeing Board’s prevention priorities as well meeting the BCF national conditions.  Members were also asked to approve the final version of the Better Care Fund Plan for 2023-25, as submitted to NHS England on the 28 June 2023.

Rachel Briden, Integrated Partnership Manager, introduced the report and thanked officers for arranging the meeting.  She explained the timescales involved, the need for a sub-committee to be held and summarised the presentation she would deliver.

The presentation gave an overview of the current position of the Better Care Fund, the Better Care Fund plan, key areas of focus and links to NHS activity and summarised the recommendations being considered.

Members were reminded that locally the Better Care Fund (BCF) was delivered through the ‘umbrella’ of the Better Together Programme and that the Joint Commissioning Board had oversight of it.  Officers explained the pooled contributions and how these were split between funding for core NHS and local authority services and those funds received directly by the local authority.

The BCF Programme for 23-25 was explained and included Transformation Activity and projects that were known to Members.  Members noted that the majority of the funding into the BCF was NHS budget with national conditions applying to £71 million, specifying what services had to be funded and ensuring there was transparency on spending.

Councillor Bell highlighted the schemes being delivered through the Improved Better Care Fund (IBCF) and signposted Members to the appendices of the report for further detail.  Officers confirmed the IBCF was not permanent but was being provided on a one year rolling allocation.

Direct funding to District and Borough Councils was discussed and it was noted that some of this was based on need, population and other factors.  Whilst the Disabled Facilities Grant allocations were set nationally, they were pooled under the Home Environment Assessment and Review Team (HEART) Partnership.  Following a question from Councillor Bell, officers confirmed that monitoring of expenditure was undertaken by the HEART Board.

Slide 4 of the presentation advised that the majority of the NHS contribution in the pooled budget funded core local authority and NHS services, most of which had been in place since 2016.  The budget for each service was broken down and information provided as to whether this was delivered by the NHS or the local authority.  Officers stated that there had not been an inflation increase to the Improved Better Care Fund for a couple of years and this had added to the cost pressures.

Councillor Roodhouse asked for clarification on the current position with Continuing Health Care (CHC) and was advised that a review and redesign was planned between 2023 and 2025.  Officers assured that this was in the plan as a commitment with a report to be considered shortly.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.