Argyll and Bute HSCP Finance and Policy Committee held on 24 March 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.
Page 1
MINUTES of MEETING of ARGYLL AND BUTE HSCP FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE held BY MICROSOFT TEAMS on FRIDAY, 24 MARCH 2023 Present: Councillor Amanda Hampsey (Chair) Kenny Mathieson Graham Bell Sarah Compton-Bishop Elizabeth Higgins Councillor Gary Mulvaney 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 Fiona Broderick, Staffside, Argyll and Bute HSCP Kevin McIntosh, Staffside, Argyll and Bute Council Lorna Jordan, Senior Accountant, Argyll and Bute Council Lynsey Innis, Senior Committee Assistant, Argyll and Bute Council 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE There were no apologies for absence intimated. 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 24 February 2023, was approved as a correct record. 4. BUDGET MONITORING - 11 MONTHS TO 28 FEBRUARY 2023 The Committee gave consideration to a report providing a summary of the financial position of the Health and Social Care Partnership as at 28 February 2023. The report also provided an update on the delivery of savings programme and use of reserves. Decision The Finance and Policy Committee –
Page 2
1. Noted that there is a forecast revenue underspend reported of £4.3m as at 28 February 2023. 2. Noted that it is anticipated the HSCP will be able to carry any underspend forward in its general reserve to fund projects and contribute to the budget shortfall in 2023/24. 3. Noted confirmation that savings of £4.1m have been delivered, 68% of target. 4. Noted that earmarked reserves of £12.8m have been allocated including £3.3m clawed by the Scottish Government. (Reference: Report by Head of Finance and Transformation, dated 24 March 2023, submitted) Elizabeth Higgins joined the meeting during discussions of agenda item 4 (Budget Monitoring – 11 Months to 28 February 2023). . 5. 2023/24 FINANCIAL PLAN AND BUDGET Consideration was given to a report which provided a proposed budget supported by a Value for Money Strategy for 2023/24 for approval by the IJB. Decision The Finance and Policy Committee – 1. Noted that the HSCP has developed a budget which relies on in-year savings to be identified and potentially brokerage via NHS Highland. 2. Approved the proposed budget for 2023/24 and the Value for Money Strategy and Savings Plan. 3. Noted that Equality Impact Assessments have been completed for relevant savings proposals and that these will be publicly available. 4. Noted that, if required, the IJB will utilise reserves to offset the budget gap for Social Work services and does not intend to request additional financial support from Argyll and Bute Council. 5. Noted that the budget gap for NHS services is of such a scale that a brokerage request is being made, the use of this will be minimised. 6. Requested that the HSCP continue to identify and implement savings proposals aimed at returning to a financially sustainable position as quickly as possible. 7. Noted that a revised approach to management of spend has been implemented and will remain in place until the HSCP is operating within the resources available to it. 8. Noted that opening offers and directions are being finalised with partners and are expected to align with the budget presented in the report.
Page 3
(Reference: Report by Head of Finance and Transformation, dated 24 March 2023, submitted) 6. VALUE FOR MONEY STRATEGY AND SAVINGS PROPOSALS 2023/24 Consideration was given to a report which set out the savings plan and value for money priorities for financial year 2023/24. Decision The Finance and Policy Committee – 1. Approved the Value for Money Strategy and Savings proposals for 2023/24. 2. Noted that the HSCP budged is predicated on the delivery of the savings programme outlined within the report. 3. Noted that Equality Impact Assessments are attached as an appendix to the report for relevant savings projects. 4. Approved the implementation of recovery plan measures outlined in this report and noted that these are required as the HSCP budget is not in balance for 2023/24. (Reference: Report by Head of Finance and Transformation, dated 24 March 2023, submitted) 7. TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME UPDATE Consideration was given to a report which provided a progress overview and update in respect of the Transformation Programme following on from the March Transformation Board. Decision The Finance and Policy Committee noted the Transformation Programme updates and provided scrutiny in connection with progress and direction of the programme and its priorities. (Reference: Report by Head of Finance and Transformation, dated 24 March 2023, submitted) 8. CORPORATE APPOINTEESHIP - POLICY APPROVAL The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided the revised processes that have been developed to implement an improved approach which reduce risk and enable the HSCP to provide an improved service to adults who lack the capacity to manage their own funds. Decision The Finance and Policy Committee –
Page 4
1. Noted that the HSCP has developed a new approach to Guardianship/Corporate Appointeeship which aligns with sector norms and best practise. 2. Approved the policy and associated operational procedures (Appendix 1). (Reference: Report by Head of Adult Services, dated 24 March 2023, submitted) 9. FINANCE AND POLICY ANNUAL REPORT Consideration was given to the annual report, which summarises the activity of the Finance and Policy Committee in the financial year 2022-23. Decision The Finance and Policy Committee – 1. Noted the report to Committee. 2. Recommended the report to the IJB. (Reference: Report by Chair of the Finance and Policy Committee, dated 24 March 2023, submitted) 10. ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION UPDATE Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on the engagement initiatives planned prior to the delivery of the refreshed engagement strategy. Decision The Finance and Policy agreed to note the update. (Reference: Report by Business Improvement Manager, dated 24 March 2023, submitted) 11. CONSULTATION TRACKER Consideration was given to the Consultation Tracker which outlined the status of a number of Scottish Government consultations. Decision The Finance and Policy Committee agreed to note the Consultation Tracker. (Reference: Consultation Tracker, dated 24 March 2023, submitted) 12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The Finance and Policy Committee noted that their next meeting was scheduled to take place on Friday, 23 June 2023.