Agenda item

Report of Director of Children and Adult Services

The Director of Children and Adult Services submitted a report (previously circulated) updating Members on the position of the Better Care Fund (BCF) for Darlington and the future structure of the programme.

It was reported that the Better Care Fund was a programme spanning the NHS and Local Government; and brought together ring-fenced budgets from the Clinical Commissioning Group allocations along with funding paid directly to Local Government.

Details were provided of the seven workstream in place to support the delivery of the BCF; four national conditions were in place against which all system areas must comply; and Darlington performance against the four metrics as at the end of quarter four 2019/20 was outlined.

It was stated that the current 2020/21 BCF was a one year continuation programme, with no changes to the national conditions or metrics. Planning guidance to inform the development of a Darlington Plan was outstanding due to Covid related delays.

Details were provided of the Darlington BCF funding package for 2019/20; spend breakdown for 2019/20; and funding for 2020/21.

Following questions by Members, the Programme Manager (BCF & Integration) confirmed that there was scope for communications and promotional activity to enable those residents that were not technologically adept to be aware of and access services; a full system integration had not been implemented however there would be a shift toward technology and digital enhancement in future programmes; and scenario planning had been undertaken, with social isolation identified as an emerging area of importance.

RESOLVED – That the position of the Better Care Fund and delays to revised planning guidance, be noted.