Agenda item

Report of the Director of Children and Adults Services

The Director of Children and Adults Services submitted a report (previously circulated) to update Members on the 2019/20 Darlington Better Care Fund Plan submission, and of Better Care Fund plans beyond the current period.

The submitted report stated that the Better Care Fund (BCF) was a programme spanning both the NHS and Local Government, which sought to join up health and care services so that people can manage their own health and well-being and live independently within their communities for as long as possible. Members were informed that the Fund brings together ring-fenced budgets from Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) allocations, and funding paid directly to Local Government, and that the 2019/20 plan was based on seven broad workstreams to support the delivery of the BCF priorities.

The submitted report advised that the planning guidance for the 2019/20 submission was published on 18 July 2019, with a final submission date of 27 September 2019, following approval by local Health and Well-Being Boards, and that approval letters would be issued during December 2019, following regional scrutiny of all BCF plans.

Members entered into discussion on the strong performance in terms of delayed transfers of care, and the potential effect of winter pressures on discharge arrangements.   

RESOLVED – (a) That the submission of the 2019/20 plan and the expected timescales for approval, be noted.

(b) That the current position in respect of the BCF for 2020/21, be noted.