Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Jean Boardman, Fiona Thomson and Stephen Whiston.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Integration Joint Board held on 5 August 2020 were approved as a correct record subject to amending the list of those present to include Councillor Gary Mulvaney.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee held on 23 June 2020 were noted.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Policy Committee held on 26 June 2020 were noted.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Audit and Risk Committee held on 18 August 2020 were noted.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Policy Committee held on 28 August 2020 were noted.

Report by Chief Officer

The Board gave consideration to a report from the Chief Officer covering a range of issues including attending Team meetings, successful drone delivery trials, Children & Families and Justice Services / Adult Services management restructure, Courageous Conversations training, Next Steps for Adult Social Care in Scotland Conference, and Staffside update.

The Chair, on behalf of the Board, extended thanks to Alex Taylor, Head of Children and Families and Justice for his contribution during his time as Head of Service and for the stability he provided to the Service.  The Chair then welcomed Patricia Renfrew who was filling the post on an interim basis.

Decision

The Integration Joint Board noted the report from the Chief Officer.

(Reference:  Report by Chief Officer dated 16 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Associate Director of Public Health

The Board gave consideration to a report that focused on changes in the epidemiology of Covid-19 in Argyll and Bute, which had led to changes of priorities in the testing programme and the uptake of testing by different population groups.  The report reflected on lessons learnt during the first wave of Covid-19 in Argyll and Bute.

Decision

The Integration Joint Board noted the update on Covid-19 in Argyll and Bute in terms of –

1.    The changing nature of the distribution of infections in the Argyll and Bute community.

2.    The role Covid-19 testing is playing in building such a picture.

3.    How the support to the Argyll and Bute Community due to the Covid-19 pandemic is adapting to the changed epidemiological and social situation.

(Reference:  Report by Associate Director of Public Health dated 16 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Chief Officer, Health and Social Care Partnership

The Board gave consideration to a report providing an update on progress of the delivery of the Argyll and Bute Culture 100 day Action Plan which had been put in place in response to the key findings of the Argyll and Bute Culture Survey.  The report outlined the basis for the creation of the Argyll and Bute Culture Group.

Decision

The Integration Joint Board –

1.    Welcomed the progress of the Argyll and Bute Culture 100 Day Plan.

2.    Noted the establishment of Argyll and Bute Culture Group.

(Reference:  Report by Chief Officer dated 16 September 2020, submitted)

Report by the Head of Children and Families and Justice

The Board gave consideration to a report presenting the second annual review of the Children and Young People’s Service Plan 2017-20.  The report provided an update on the 2019/20 progress of the Plan and areas for improvement.  It provided information on key developments that have taken place since the Plan was published and set out key plans for the year ahead.

Decision

The Integration Joint Board –

1.    Noted that both NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute Council are jointly and equally responsible for children’s services planning.

2.    Approved Argyll and Bute’s Children and Young People’s Services Plan 2017-2020 Year 3 review for the period 2019/20.

3.    Approved the Children and Young People’s Services Plan Year 3 review for submission to  Scottish Government as per the legislative requirement.

(Reference:  Report by Acting Head of Children & Families and Justice dated 16 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Head of Customer Support Services

The Board gave consideration to a report introducing an HSCP Policy to support the process for ensuring staff who require to be SSSC registered to undertake their role maintain their registration, how this is supported and any implications of the lapse of registration.

Decision

The Integration Joint Board endorsed the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Registration Policy.

(Reference:  Report by Head of Customer Support Services dated 16 September 2020, submitted)

The Chair ruled and the Board agreed to take a 5 minute comfort break from 3pm.

The Board reconvened at 3.05pm.

Report by Head of Finance and Transformation

The Board gave consideration to a report providing a summary of the financial position of the Health and Social Care Partnership as at 31 July 2020.  The report noted that there was still considerable uncertainty around the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Decision

The Integration Joint Board –

1.    Noted that the forecast outturn position for 2020-21 was a forecast overspend of £2.964m as at 31 July 2020 and that there was a year to date overspend of £2.117m as at the same date. 

2.    Noted the above position excluded any provision for Scottish Government assistance with non-delivery of savings due to Covid-19, or for the on-going dispute with NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde.

3.    Approved the proposed settlement of the dispute with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as set out at paragraph 3.4.2.

(Reference:  Report by Head of Finance and Transformation dated August 2020, submitted)

Report by Head of Finance and Transformation

The Board gave consideration to a report summarising the budget outlook covering the period 2021-22 to 2023-24.  The outlook was based on three different scenarios – best case, worst case and mid-range.

Decision

The Integration Joint Board noted the current estimated budget outlook report for the period 2021-22 to 2023-24.

(Reference: Report by Head of Finance and Transformation dated 16 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Head of Finance and Transformation

The Board gave consideration to a report providing an updated assessment on financial risks for 2020/21 from the report provided to the Board in May 2020.  The report advised that one new risk had been added.

Decision

The Integration Joint Board –

1. Noted the updated financial risks identified for the Health and Social Care Partnership.

2. Noted the uncertainties around Covid funding which are described in more detail in a separate report.

3. Acknowledged that delays to the commissioning strategy would cause uncertainty for providers and that this would be reviewed by the Strategic Planning Group.

(Reference:  Report by Head of Finance and Transformation dated 16 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Head of Finance and Transformation

The Board gave consideration to a report providing an overview of the HSCP’s Covid-19 mobilisation readiness and its future planning for living and operating with Covid-19.  The report also provided a snapshot of the financial estimates of costs of dealing with the Covid-19 response. The financial estimates were updated weekly and were subject to considerable uncertainties.

Decision

The Integration Joint Board –

1.    Noted the details provided in relation to Covid-19 response and associated mobilisation plan costing.

2.    Acknowledged the uncertainties in the cost elements submitted.

3.    Noted that the Scottish Government had in principle approved all mobilisation plans, but that approval for individual cost lines had not yet been received.

(Reference: Report by Head of Finance and Transformation dated 16 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Head of Finance and Transformation

The Board gave consideration to a report providing commentary on the causes of the forecast overspend and proposing a financial recovery plan in order to return the forecast to a break even position.

Decision

The Integration Joint Board approved the proposed financial recovery plan set out at paragraph 3.3.1.

(Reference:  Report by Head of Finance and Transformation dated 16 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Head of Finance and Transformation

The Board gave consideration to a report presenting the annual accounts for 2019-20 which had been produced within the statutory timescale and had been subject to independent audit by the Integration Joint Board’s external auditors, Audit Scotland.  The audit process had been completed and Audit Scotland had issued an unqualified independent auditors report.  The Audit Scotland report contained a number of key messages which the Board were invited to note.

Decision

The Integration Joint Board –

1.    Noted that Audit Scotland had completed their audit of the annual accounts for 2019-20 and had issued an unqualified independent auditor’s report.

2.    Noted the 2019/20 Annual Audit Report prepared by Audit Scotland and noted the key messages and the action plan 2019/20 therein.

3.    Noted the verbal recommendation from the Audit & Risk Committee following their consideration of the Audited Accounts at their meeting on 15 September 2020.

4.    Approved the Audited Annual Accounts for 2019-20 to be signed for issue.

(Reference:  Report by Head of Finance and Transformation dated 16 September 2020, submitted)

Wednesday 25 November 2020 at 1.00 pm

The date of the next meeting was noted as Wednesday 25 November 2020 at 1pm.