Argyll and Bute HSCP Finance and Policy Committee held on 18 March 2025
Argyll and Bute Council · 26 March 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute HSCP Integration Joint Board (IJB) — 26 March 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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MINUTES of MEETING of ARGYLL AND BUTE HSCP FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE held BY MICROSOFT TEAMS on TUESDAY, 18 MARCH 2025 Present: Councillor Dougie McFadzean (Chair) Graham Bell Kenny Mathieson Tracey White Karen Leach Councillor Gary Mulvaney Attending: Evan Beswick, Chief Officer, Argyll and Bute HSCP Fiona Broderick, Staffside Lead, Argyll and Bute HSCP (Health) Caroline Cherry, Head of Adult Services - Health and Community Care, Argyll and Bute HSCP Charlotte Craig, Interim Head of Service Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology, Argyll and Bute HSCP Nicola Gillespie, Interim Head of Adult Services (Mental Health, Disabilities, ASP & Dementia Services), Argyll and Bute HSCP James Gow, Head of Finance, Argyll and Bute HSCP Councillor Kieron Green, Argyll and Bute Council Elizabeth Higgins, Associate Nurse Director, NHS Highland Julie Hodges, Independent Sector Representative Alison McGrory, Associate Director of Public Health, Argyll and Bute HSCP Kevin McIntosh, Assistant Operations Manager, Roads & Infrastructure Services, Argyll and Bute Council Councillor Ross Moreland, Argyll and Bute Council Kirstie Reid, Carers Representative, NHS Highland Takki Sulaiman, Chief Executive, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface Angela Tillery, Principal Accountant, Argyll and Bute Council Donald Watt, Interim Head of Adult Services (Acute and Community Care), Argyll and Bute HSCP Katie McKenzie, Committee Services Officer, Argyll and Bute Council 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE An apology for absence was received from Fiona Thomson. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Kenny Mathieson noted a connection in relation to item 6 of the agenda (Financial Savings Options – Social Work / Social Care (Confidential)) as a family member of his was a resident of Struan Lodge. As there was no substantive decision being taken, he advised he would remain in the meeting during the consideration of this item of Business.
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3. MINUTES The Minutes of the Meeting of the Finance and Policy Committee held on 25 February 2025 were approved as a correct record. 4. BUDGET MONITORING - 11 MONTHS TO 28 FEBRUARY 2025 The Committee gave consideration to a report providing a summary of the financial position as at the end of month 11 and a forecast for the year. Decision The Finance and Policy Committee – 1. noted that the HSCP had overspent its budget by £2.2m; 2. noted an overspend of £2.3m was forecast; 3. noted that Argyll & Bute Council had confirmed the HSCP could access £3.05m in pension saving resource they hold on behalf of the IJB; 4. noted that reserves would be utilised to cover the remaining deficit and that new projects funded from this source were on hold; and 5. noted savings of £5.1m had been delivered, 77% of target. (Reference: Report by Head of Finance dated 18 March 2025, submitted) Councillor Mulvaney left the meeting during consideration of the following item of business. 5. HSCP BUDGET 2025/26 The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the development of the budget for 2025/26. Decision The Finance and Policy Committee – 1. endorsed the proposed HSCP budget for 2025/26 to the Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board; 2. noted that the HSCP was continuing to face severe financial challenge and further savings required to be identified as part of a financial recovery plan; 3. noted the budget gap before savings and use of non-recurring resources was £12.9m; 4. noted that the IJB would be asked to approve an initial expenditure budget totalling £363.6m, a savings plan totalling £5.4m and the use of £3m in non- recurring resourcing;
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5. noted that the HSCP had not been able to identify 3% in NHS savings and therefore expects to be reliant upon additional resource from NHS Highland. This requirement is £4.5m as an opening position; 6. noted that the HSCP had continued to work with both partners throughout the development of a budget for approval; and 7. requested that the Management Team urgently develop plans to move the HSCP into a more financially sustainable operating model. (Reference: Report by Head of Finance dated 18 March, submitted) 6. FINANCIAL SAVINGS OPTIONS - SOCIAL WORK / SOCIAL CARE (CONFIDENTIAL) The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining potential actions that could be expected to reduce spend at a pace and magnitude to address the gap. A step reduction in service volume is likely to be the only way a sufficient step reduction in spend can be delivered in the relatively short term. Decision The Finance and Policy Committee – 1. noted that the HSCP had prepared a paper outlining potential savings options as requested by the Committee; and 2. noted the contents of the report and provided guidance to the leadership team on the next steps. (Reference: Report by Head of Finance dated 18 March, submitted) 7. TRANSFORMATION BOARD - UPDATE The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the review of the Strategic Planning process of which transformation will play a key role in restructuring the board to support a more agile approach to delivery and increase IJB oversight to support improved change practice. Decision The Finance and Policy Committee considered and approved the proposed structure and practice. (Reference: Report by Interim Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology dated 18 March, submitted) 8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The Finance and Policy Committee noted the date of the next meeting as Tuesday 24 June 2025.