Agenda item

To consider a report of the Chief Finance Officer (CCG) and Deputy Chief Executive (S151 Officer, Stockport Council).

The report provides the Better Care Fund (BCF) financial planning for 2021/22.

The Board are recommended to approve the BCF 2021/22 Financial Planning.

Officer contact: Paul Graham, Strategic Financial Advisor (Stockport Council), 0161 474 4674, paul.graham@stockport.gov.uk  and Alison Johnson, PMO Manager, (CCG), alison.johnson4@nhs.net

A representative of the Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer, Stockport Council submitted a joint report with the Chief Finance Officer, Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group (copies of which had been circulated) regarding the Better Care Fund (BCF) financial planning for 2021/22.

Clarification was sought in relation to whether any underspent funds could be carried forward, in response it was stated that there was a clear differentiation between the disabled facilities grant and revenue and capital. Any underspend in the disabled facilities grant could be retained within the capital programme, whereas the revue and capital was managed by commissioners based on the outturn position within adult social care from a Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) perspective.

There was a discussion relating the expected receipt of the 2022/23 Better Care Fund planning guidance. In response, it was stated that a release date had not yet been specified. The service was hoping to undertake a fundamental review in 2021/22, however the guidance was released halfway through the financial year. Whilst the necessary guidance for the current financial year had been met, the service was awaiting the release of further planning guidance within quarter 4 that would enable planning for the new financial year. Following the release of the Better Care Fund planned works in terms of the national agenda and guidance for the new financial year, there would be coordination between local commissioners and providers through discussions with partners to establish the priorities that the Better Care Fund would continue to support.

Members of the Board commented on the importance of the guidance for future planning, however members noted that Stockport was in the same position as other local authorities.

RESOLVED – That the Better Care Fund 2021/22 Financial Planning be approved.