Argyll and Bute HSCP Finance and Policy Committee held on 24 February 2023
Argyll and Bute Council · 29 March 2023
Back to Argyll and Bute HSCP Integration Joint Board (IJB) — 29 March 2023 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 FRIDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2023 Present: Councillor Amanda Hampsey (Chair) Graham Bell Kenny Matheson Sarah Compton-Bishop Fiona Thomson (as a substitute for Elizabeth Higgins) Attending: Fiona Davies, Chief Officer, Argyll and Bute HSCP James Gow, Head of Finance and Transformation, Argyll and Bute HSCP Caroline Cherry, Head of Adult Services – Health and Community Care, Argyll and Bute HSCP Jillian Torrens, Head of Adult Services, Argyll and Bute HSCP Alison McGrory, Associate Director of Public Health, Argyll and Bute HSCP Charlotte Craig, Business Improvement Manager, Argyll and Bute HSCP Lorna Jordan, Senior Accountant, Argyll and Bute Council John Stevens, Carers Representative, NHS Highland Lynsey Innis, Senior Committee Assistant, Argyll and Bute Council 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:- Councillor Gary Mulvaney Elizabeth Higgins, Lead Nurse, NHS Highland 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest intimated. 3. MINUTES The Minute of the meeting of the Finance and Policy Committee, held on 27 January 2023, was approved as a correct record. 4. BUDGET MONITORING - 10 MONTHS TO 31 JANUARY 2023 The Committee gave consideration to a report providing a summary of the financial position of the Health and Social Care Partnership as at 31 January 2023. The report also provided a forecast for the year and an update on the delivery of savings programme and the use of reserves. Having noted the high level of uncertainty and challenges going forward, the Committee took the opportunity to thank and commend the Head of Finance and
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Transformation and his team for their hard work and perseverance in securing the current year to date position. Decision The Finance and Policy Committee – 1. Noted that there was a relatively small forecast revenue underspend reported of £946k as at 31 January 2023 and that it is anticipated the HSCP will be able to carry any underspend forward in its general reserve. 2. Noted confirmation that savings of £4m have been delivered, 66% of target. 3. Noted that earmarked reserves of £7.4m have been committed to date and £3.3m clawed by the Scottish Government so far. (Reference: Report by Head of Finance and Transformation, dated 24 February 2023, submitted) 5. 2023/24 FINANCIAL PLANNING AND BUDGET UPDATE Consideration was given to a report which provided an update in respect of the development of the HSCP budget for 2023/24. The report noted the significant uncertainty regarding final funding settlements for 2023/24, with it being noted that the report did not update planning assumptions for future years. Decision The Finance and Policy Committee – 1. Noted progress in the development of the budget for 2023/24. 2. Noted the baseline forecast budget gap has increased to £11.9m. 3. Noted that funding allocations are still to be confirmed in some cases and that the anticipated formula allocation of NHS funding has reduced. 4. Noted progress to date in identifying proposals to address the budget gap which total £6m leaving a gap to be addressed of up to £6m. 5. Noted that a revised approach to management of spend will be implemented and some brokerage may be required via NHS Highland. (Reference: Report by Head of Finance and Transformation, dated 24 February 2023, submitted.) 6. ESTATES AND INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided a summary of current HSCP Estates projects within the Council and NHS Estate. The report outlined a wide range of current and planned activity intended to improve the physical facilities from which HSCP services are delivered; the recruitment to a new management post
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to improve its capacity for Estates management and development and the progress to date of the delivery of savings programme. Decision The Finance and Policy Committee – 1. Noted progress within Estates projects in the current year and strategic infrastructure projects and priorities. 2. Noted that a new Senior Manager had been recruited to increase Estates and Facilities management capacity. 3. Noted delivery of Estates savings had been limited in 2022/23. 7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The Finance and Policy Committee noted that their next meeting was scheduled to take place on Friday, 24 March 2023.