Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The Board is invited to consider and approve proposals for the use of the Improved Better Care Fund.

Officer contact: Sally Wilson, 0161 218 1648, sally.wilson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining proposals for the use of the improved Better Care Fund (iBCF). The report provided details of the grant, the criteria being used locally to assess investment schemes, the context in which those decisions were being made and the proposed financial envelope to be invested in specified areas.  The report also included the BCF Planning Template submission to the Department of Health.

Members welcomed the extra funding but expressed disappointment that this was non-recurrent resource.

RESOLVED – That the Improved Better Care Fund proposals and Better Care Fund 2017-19 Planning Template be approved.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report sets out proposals for the utilisation of the Improved Better Care Fund for comment by the Scrutiny Committee prior to consideration by the Health & Wellbeing Board.

Officer contact: Sally Wilson, 0161-218-1648, sally.wilson@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining proposals for the use of the improved Better Care Fund (iBCF). The report provided details of the grant, the criteria being used locally to assess investment schemes, the context in which those decisions were being made and the proposed financial envelope to be invested in specified areas.  The plans for iBCF would be submitted for approval by the Health and Wellbeing Board on 27 September 2017.

The Chair highlighted the complexity and challenge of work in this area and thanked officers for their efforts.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The challenge of responding to the needs of people with chaotic lifestyles was highlighted and the inappropriateness for many of being placed up in adult social care facilities. In response it was stated that there was a need to quantify the demands in Stockport as it may be more cost effective to commission these types of services on a Greater Manchester footprint. In many cases people were presenting to social care who might not otherwise have done previously as a consequence of ‘squeezing’ of other service areas, so this pressure might not represent an increase in numbers but rather a shift in demand.

·         It was confirmed that Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group were supportive of these proposals.

·         Concerns were expressed that the funding represented only a small part of the resource need for Stockport and was part of a much more significant national problem with adult social care funding.

·         The investment in quality improvement was welcomed, particular in relation to staff whose contribution often went unrecognised.

·         In relation to staff training proposals, it was queried whether additional investment would lead to increased staff pay and cost. In response it was stated that a strategy would need to be developed to address skills gaps and retention challenges. Caution was needed about using non-recurrent or time limited resources to fund pay increases as these would not be sustainable. The resources would allow for the testing of new approaches to staffing and training. Stockport Together also had a workforce development strategy that would allow for resources to be deployed more effectively to meet staffing challenges.

·         Clarification was sought on the impact of Greater Manchester work on skills and training provision, such as the Area Based Review. In response it was stated that this would form a part of the Greater Manchester Strategy, but a key element was to stress the value and contribution of staff and recognise good quality service in the care sector. It was further commented that initiatives such as the Daisy Awards had been used as a means to improve standards.

·         Councillors discussed the challenges facing the workforce and the downward pressure on wages and terms and conditions. Comment was made that despite these challenges there were very dedicated and hardworking carers in the profession, but nevertheless there were difficulties in retaining and recruiting staff.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.