Agenda item

To consider a report of the Interim S151 Officer (SMBC) and Stockport Place Finance Lead (NHS GM).

The report provides the details relating to the Better Care Fund (BCF) Planning Submission for 2024/25 which was submitted to NHS England 10 June 2024.

The Board is recommended to approve the Better Care Fund Plan 2024/25.

Officer contact: Paul Graham on 07866999882 or email: paul.graham@stockport.gov.uk

The Stockport Place Finance Lead (NHS GM) submitted a report on behalf of the Interim S151 Officer and the Stockport Place Finance Lead (NHS GM) (copies of which had been circulated) providing the details relating to the Better Care Fund (BCF) Planning Submission for 2024/25 which was submitted to NHS England 10 June 2024.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·       The Board welcomed the increase in funding of up to £3m, which was as a result of a proportion of inflation and extra discharge funding as well.

·       The Board enquired about the financial pressures going forward into 2025. In response, it was stated that there was a working group in place that consisted of adult social care and health colleagues, finance and operational senior colleagues with one of its remit to look at short and medium term plans.

·       It was stated that challenges included demand, demographics, access and appropriate provision at the right time and place and what that might mean to hospital admissions, but also the care delivered out of hospital and that could be as cost effective as possible.

·       It was noted that the setting of the Council’s budget for the current year recognised that adult social care was by far the largest element of overall spend, but savings had been identified for the current year which had been a challenge.

·       It was commented that there was a real enthusiasm and commitment from those non-statutory organisations, with GP practices to really work together to collaborate and innovate to get that prevention and early support for solutions to some of these issues and despite the challenges there was a lot of energy and commitment amongst those organisations to really support Stockport address some of these many challenges.

·       The Board questioned the difference to last year’s budget in terms of the overspend and was anything being done differently for 2024/25. In response, it was stated that there was an overall strategy for less reliance on beds and more homes first was already in place, but regarding the spot purchase it was not necessary the best way forward including the quality of care, so it was being monitored and minimised. A few things were being put in place to make things more robust including upfront brokerage for bed-based care and the price of the beds were right. Additional capacity has also been put in to reduce the length of stays as well as some 24 hour packages of home care to get the right care in the right place.

RESOLVED – That the Board approves the Better Care Fund Plan 2024/25.