Appendix 2 - Integration Scheme Review 2025 - summary of proposed revisions
Argyll and Bute Council · 17 September 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute HSCP Integration Joint Board (IJB) — 17 September 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Review of the Argyll and Bute Integration Scheme Summary of Revisions Provision paragraph Revision / Explanation 1.1 Vision and Values (p3) Vision and values updated to reflect the wording within the Joint Strategic Plan 2022-25 1.4 (p5) Propose that the 3rd bullet point (detailed below) is removed, on the basis that, within the context of the other detail in this section it is no longer relevant//meaningful. The Council and NHS Highland payments to the IJB derive from a process that recognises that both organisations have expenditure commitments that cannot be avoided in the short to medium term. The Council and NHS Highland will prepare and maintain a record of what those commitments are and provide this to the IJB. 1.4 (p5) Propose that the last sentence of the 4th bullet point be reworded to provide clarity of process:- Original – The IJB, the Council and NHS Highland will share financial information to ensure all parties have a full understanding of their current financial information and future financial challenges and funding streams. Revision - The IJB, the Council and NHS Highland will share financial information to ensure all parties have a full understanding of their current financial position, future financial outlook and key planning assumptions. 3.2 (p8) Propose that the last bullet point is reworded to provide further clarity. Original – Any other National Health and Well Being outcomes prescribed by the Scottish Ministers. Revision - Any other National Health and Wellbeing outcomes that may be subsequently prescribed by the Scottish Ministers via Regulations. 5.3.1 (p11) Proposed changes as follows to clearly define the arrangement for Corporate Services:- • Original - Identify and agree on an ongoing basis, the corporate support services required to fully discharge the IJB’s duties under the Act. Revision – Agree the level and scope of services to be provided to support the IJB in discharging its duties under the Act.
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• Proposed deletion of 2nd bullet point - The Parties will continue to provide the IJB with the corporate support services it requires to fully discharge its duties under the Act. Not required in light of proposed change to first bullet point. Section 9 Finance (p20 onwards) The following changes are proposed to the financial section in order to strengthen the terminology and clarify the anticipated arrangements/actions:- • 9.1.6 Original – The Chief Financial Officer of the IJB will work with the Council Section 95 Officer and NHS Highland Director of Finance to ensure the Council and NHS Highland are kept informed on the financial position, performance and plans of the IJB. Revision - The Chief Financial Officer of the IJB will work with the Council Section 95 Officer and NHS Highland Director of Finance to ensure the Council and NHS Highland are kept informed on the financial position, performance and plans of the IJB, at a frequency to be agreed by the parties, in order to inform financial plans and safeguard the financial sustainability of the Council and NHS Highland. • 9.1.7 Original - The Chief Executive Officers of Argyll and Bute Council and NHS Highland are responsible for the resources that are allocated by the IJB to their respective organisations for operational delivery. Revision - The Chief Executive Officers of Argyll and Bute Council and NHS Highland are responsible for the operational delivery of services commissioned by the IJB from their respective organisations. • 9.2.1 - “strategy” changed to “plan”. • 9.2.2 Original – The IJB is able to hold reserves. There is an expectation that it will deliver the objectives of the Strategic Plan within agreed resources. The IJB cannot approve a budget which exceeds resources available. Revision - The IJB is able to hold reserves. The objectives of the Strategic Plan require to be delivered within agreed resources. The IJB must approve a balanced budget.
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• 9.2.18 Original - Where it is forecast that an overspend will arise, then the Chief Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the IJB will identify the cause of the forecast overspend and prepare a recovery plan setting out how they propose to address the forecast overspend and return to a breakeven position. The Chief Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the IJB should consult the Section 95 Officer of the Council and the Director of Finance of NHS Highland in preparing the recovery plan. The recovery plan should be approved by the IJB. The report setting out the explanation of the forecast overspend and the recovery plan should also be submitted to the Council and NHS Highland. Revision - Where it is forecast that an overspend will arise in the current year, then the Chief Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the IJB will identify the cause of the forecast overspend and prepare a recovery plan setting out how they propose to address the forecast overspend and return to a breakeven position. The Chief Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the IJB should consult the Section 95 Officer of the Council and the Director of Finance of NHS Highland in preparing the recovery plan. The recovery plan should be approved by the IJB. The report setting out the explanation of the forecast overspend and the recovery plan should also be submitted to the Council and NHS Highland. The impact on the medium term financial plan, use of reserves balances and financial risks should also be reported, as appropriate. • 9.2.19 Original – A recovery plan should aim to bring the forecast expenditure of the IJB back in line with the budget within the current financial year. Where an in-year recovery cannot be achieved and a recovery plan extends beyond the current year the amount of any shortfall or deficit carried forward cannot exceed the reserves held by the IJB unless there is prior approval of the Council and NHS Highland. Revision - A recovery plan should aim to bring the forecast expenditure of the IJB back in line with the budget within the current financial year. Progress on the delivery of the recovery plan requires to be monitored and reported upon. Where an in- year recovery cannot be achieved and a recovery plan extends beyond the current year the amount of any shortfall or deficit carried forward cannot exceed the reserves held by the IJB unless there is prior approval of the Council and NHS Highland.
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9.4.1 Original - ➢ Developing a medium and longer term financial strategy to support delivery of the Strategic Plan. ➢ Preparation and review of the annual budget. ➢ Collating and reviewing budget savings proposals. ➢ Identifying and analysing financial risks. ➢ Considering the proposals in relation to reserves. Revision – ➢ Developing a medium and longer term financial strategy to support delivery of the Strategic Plan. ➢ Preparation and review of the annual budget and medium term financial plan. ➢ Cost and demand pressures impacting current and future years. ➢ Collating and reviewing budget savings proposals. ➢ Identifying and analysing financial risks, and identifying mitigating actions to manage those risks. ➢ Policy relation to reserves, with regular updates on the use of reserves and the impact of the current financial monitoring position on available reserve balances. 9.7 (p28) Propose the addition of the following at 9.7.2 to further clarify arrangements in respect of assets and capital investment:- The Argyll & Bute IJB does not have responsibility for Capital Investment in, or ownership of, the assets it requires to deliver its delegated operational responsibilities. Therefore, it is the responsibility of both parties to ensure that their capital planning and funding allocations are informed by the strategic and operational infrastructure requirements of the IJB, having regard to their available resources. In doing so, both parties will also have regard to the IJB’s Joint Strategic Plan, Service Plans, Health and Safety, and Regulatory requirements. This will be undertaken in consultation with the Argyll & Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Management Team. Section 10 (p30 onwards) The following changes are proposed to the Participation and Engagement section to provide clarity that the arrangements are in line with the provisions of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014, the associated Regulations, and local/national guidance. • 10.1 Original - A joint consultation took place on the revised Integration Scheme during December/January 2019/20. The stakeholders who were consulted in this joint consultation were:
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Revision – In line with the provisions of section 44 of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014, the Integration Scheme will be reviewed every 5 years. The parties will undertake a formal consultation exercise in accordance with section 46(4) of the Act, where changes are proposed to the Scheme. This will include the prescribed stakeholders, as set out in the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Prescribed Consultees) (Scotland) Regulations 2014:- • 10.2 / 10.3 Original - The range of methodologies used to contact these stakeholders included both Parties’ websites and intranets, e- mail and postal correspondence. The Communication and Engagement Strategy, along with the supporting Engagement Framework and Quality standards provides a platform for stakeholders to have their voices heard, their views considered and acknowledged, as well as strengthening relationships and building capacity. The IJB has adopted the “You Said, We Did” philosophy. A wide range of engagement methods have been adopted. Revision - The format of the consultation exercise, including the type of methodologies to be adopted when engaging with stakeholders, will be in accordance with the adopted Argyll and Bute HSCP Engagement Framework, which has been developed in line with national guidance and standards for community engagement. Section 11 (p32) “Protocol” changed to “Agreement” to reflect the changes within the revised Information Sharing Agreement, which was reviewed in 2024. Section 14 (p35) Proposed addition of the following section to cover responsibilities in terms of internal audit:- New 14.9 - The Argyll & Bute IJB is responsible for commissioning an independent internal audit function, as part of an effective system of internal control. Establishing the Internal Audit Plan, and monitoring its implementation and management progress, sits with the IJB, and its Audit and Risk Committee, who take ownership for the IJB’s consideration and approval of the annual accounts including the annual governance statement and associated assurances. Both partners may also include pieces of internal audit work that overlap with, or relate to, responsibilities delegated to the IJB within their Internal Audit, Risk Management, and Assurance processes.
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To maximise the added value from the Internal Audit Service, the IJB will normally appoint the same internal auditor as either Argyll & Bute Council or NHS Highland. If this is not possible or appropriate for any reason, the IJB has authority to procure its own Internal Audit Service using an appropriate public procurement framework, as an alternative. Annex 1 (p39) The following has been deleted as the entry has been revoked by Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 asp 5 (Scottish Act) Sch.1(9) para.30(2) - (May 5, 2025). Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 All functions of Health Boards conferred by, or by virtue of, Part 4 (provision of named persons) and Part 5 (child's plan) of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. The following has been added as relevant regulations:- Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008 Section 2 (duty of Health Boards to protect public health) Section 7 (joint public health protection plans) Annex 4 (p60) Updated graphic added to reflect current Clinical and Care Governance structure.