Issue - meetings

Background:

This report provided the Cabinet with information in relation to the Better Care Fund (BCF) Plan and its implications for Medway.

It was noted that the Cabinet had considered a report on the Better Care Fund Plan on 14 January 2014 and that in February 2014, Medway Council and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) had submitted a jointly agreed plan to the Local Government Association (LGA) and NHS England.  A final BCF Plan was subsequently submitted on behalf of both organisations on 4 April 2014.

Revised guidance had, however, been issued in July 2014 requiring all local authorities, in partnership with their local CCGs, to submit revised BCF plans by 19 September 2014. It was explained that the previous £1bn Payment for Performance framework had been revised, so that the proportion of the £1bn that was now linked to performance was dependent solely on an area’s scale of ambition in setting a planned level of reduction in total emergency admissions (general and acute non-elective activity).

Noting that the plan’s development would be an iterative process up to its submission, delegated authority was sought to finalise and submit the revised Better Care Fund (BCF) Plan on 19 September 2014 and to make any further minor amendments following submission. It was noted that an assurance process would be undertaken post submission of the plan.

A special Health and Wellbeing Board meeting would consider this matter on 9 September 2014.

Reasons:

Developing a revised BCF Plan is a national requirement of all Local Authorities in conjunction with their CCG partners. Delegated authority was sought because the Plan development would be an iterative process, up to the point at which the plan is submitted in mid September 2014.