Issue - meetings

The Board gave consideration to a report providing a proposed Budget supported by a value for money Strategy for 2023/24; which was before the Board for approval.

Decision

The Integration Joint Board –

1.    noted that the HSCP had developed a budget which relied on in-year savings to be identified and 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 had been completed for relevant savings proposals and that these would be publicly available;

4.    noted that, if required, the IJB would utilise reserves to offset the budget gap for Social Work services and did not intend to request additional financial support from Argyll & Bute Council;

5.    noted that the budget gap for NHS services was of such a scale that a brokerage request was being made, the use of this would be minimised;

6.    requested that the HSPC 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 had been implemented and would remain in place until the HSCP was operating within the resources available to it; and

8.    noted that opening offers and directions were being finalised with partners and were expected to align with the budget presented in the submitted report.

(Reference:  Report by Head of Finance and Transformation dated 29 March 2023, submitted)