Councillor Julie McManus, Chair introduced the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Chair’s report on the subject of the Pooled Fund Arrangements. The report provided feedback from the joint workshop of the Adult Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (AC&H OSC) and the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee (C&F OSC) held in January 2019. The workshop had been convened to allow Members from both Committees to undertake pre-decision scrutiny on proposals regarding the Section 75 funding arrangements for the period of April 2019 to March 2020. Councillor Tom Usher Chair (C&F OSC) was also in attendance to answer any questions arising from consideration of this item.

The report provided an overview of the Section 75 pooled funding proposals, a summary of Member comments and workshop discussions and listed 6 specific conclusions and recommendations in respect of the following:

• Pooled fund budget performance reporting;
• Exploration of the development of performance reporting on waiting times for social care services;
• Continuing Healthcare monitoring;
• The production of clear guidelines outlining governance and decision making processes;
• Consideration to be given to holding a scrutiny session to examine ‘The NHS Long Term Plan’; and
• Improved engagement with service users or those close to service users, and continued use of external stakeholders where relevant.

Members questioned the Director of Adult Care and Health on a number of points that included the Section 75 arrangements for Urgent Care and proposed transfer of services, procedures for the engagement of staff and Trade Unions, and others involved with the delivery and receipt of ‘front line services’.

The Director of Adult Care and Health informed that the Section 75 ‘Pooled Funding Proposals’ was one of a number of Section 75 agreements, and had no connection to the Urgent Care Review. 

Councillor Tom Usher, Chair of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee informed that the workshop had provided a useful opportunity for dialogue with front-line staff and qualified practitioners who had attended. 

A Member commented that it had been useful to hear from health professionals, but questioned the procedures for inviting and/or the involvement of advocacy groups in the process.

Councillor Usher advised that, as Councillors, Members were best placed to approach patients or anyone who could provide information on a particular issue and act as a conduit for the relaying of ideas and views.

Councillor Julie McManus added that such invitations would be made via the Chair, to ensure that a balance of views were gathered.

Councillor Phil Gilchrist moved, duly seconded, and agreed that an additional recommendation be added to ensure that both Overview and Scrutiny Committees be kept apprised of matters from a service user / patient perspective, and that ‘Members of the Adult Care and Health, and the Children and Families, Overview and Scrutiny Committees be kept fully informed of the experiences gained during the operation of these arrangements and any modifications or variations that are made’.

Resolved – That

(1)  the joint report of the Adult Care and Health and the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committees and recommendations contained within, be approved;

(2)  the Joint Strategic Commissioning Board consider the report as part of their decision-making regarding the pooled fund arrangements for 2019/20; and

(3)  Members of the Adult Care and Health, and the Children and Families, Overview and Scrutiny Committees be kept fully informed of the experiences gained during the operation of these arrangements and any modifications or variations that are made.