Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Adult Social Services providing information on the local development of plans for the Better Care Fund (BCF), the conditions of which were released by national government on 20 December 2013. The report explores the current and future implications for Leeds City Council in relation to the BCF, and highlights the role the BCF can play in bringing together partners to address the financial challenge facing the entire health and social care system in Leeds.

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report providing information on the local development of plans for the Better Care Fund (BCF), the conditions of which were released by national government on 20 December 2013. In addition, the submitted report explored the current and future implications for Leeds City Council in relation to the BCF, and highlighted the role which the BCF could play in bringing together partners to address the financial challenge facing the entire health and social care system in Leeds.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry regarding the governance and scrutiny arrangements around the BCF initiative, the Board noted the tight timescales which had been involved in getting the Leeds BCF to the current position, that the matter had been considered by Scrutiny Board (Health and Wellbeing and Adult Social Care) and Members were provided with details around the further action which would be taken to keep Members briefed on related matters.

In conclusion, it was noted that a further report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Executive Board regarding the governance arrangements around the initiative and it was suggested that an event for Members be scheduled in the Autumn in respect of the wider implications for the city which would arise from the BCF initiative.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That it be noted that national Government launched the detailed guidance for the Better Care Fund on 20 December 2013, with a requirement for local authorities to develop a joint plan with the relevant CCGs; and requiring its sign off by the local Health and Wellbeing Board.

(b)  That it be noted that there are a number of potentially significant implications for Leeds City Council governance, budgeting and accounting arrangements arising from the requirements to establish a Better Care Fund, but given the tight national timescales at play, details of these are still to be worked through. It also be noted that the Deputy Director of Adult Social Care will continue to lead on the BCF on behalf of Leeds Council and will bring a further report to Executive Board in October 2014, which will advise the Board on the detail of outstanding governance, budgeting and accounting issues.

(c)  That it be noted that the first draft of the Leeds BCF was signed off by the Health and Wellbeing Board on 12 February 2014 as required by national Government, and that a final version will be signed off and submitted by 4 April 2014.

(d)  That it be noted that this first draft was signed off by the Director of Adult Social Services, in consultation with the relevant Executive Lead Councillors, on behalf of Leeds City Council and that the final version of the BCF plan will also be signed off by the Director of Adult Social Services, in consultation with the relevant Executive Lead Councillors, on behalf of the Council.

(e)  That notwithstanding the resolutions above, the following progress on the BCF to date be noted:-

·  Leeds has established 2014/15 as a shadow year of the Better Care Fund through putting in place “pump-priming” arrangements ahead of the first official BCF year in 2015/16.

·  The schemes for the BCF proposed, as per the draft submission as detailed within Appendix A to the submitted report.

·  Whilst national Government has included the Disabilities Facilities Grant within the Better Care Fund proposals, in Leeds, this will not affect the overall budget for housing as it will be passported directly back to Director of Environment and Housing (the local Housing authority) to determine expenditure.

(f)  That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Executive Board regarding the governance arrangements around the initiative and that further consideration be given to the potential scheduling of an event for Members in the Autumn in respect of the wider implications for the city which would arise from the BCF initiative.