Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee notes the progress which has been made; and

(b)       That a joint letter be sent to the Chief Executive of the Health Board signed by the Chairs of this Committee and the Social & Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee to (i) express appreciation of the response, and (ii) reinforce concerns about the appeals process for disputed funded cases and the current debt level.

In presenting the update report on progress with actions arising from previous meetings, the Head of Democratic Services read out the response from Jo Whitehead, Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) on joint-funded care packages, which had been circulated to the Committee.

Councillor Richard Jones reminded Members that concerns about disparity in the appeals process for disputed joint-funded care packages with the Health Board had arisen following a loss of £0.133m in funding reported at the March meeting.  He said that the outstanding figure of £0.937m reported in July was a significant debt owed to the Council which impacted upon the budget position.

In acknowledging the concerns, the Chief Executive welcomed the fact that the newly appointed Chief Executive of BCUHB had raised the matter herself in recognising the need for change.  The Chief Executive assured Members that he would continue to follow this up through regular contact with BCUHB to ensure that the Council had a right of reply on appeals.  He also advised that the Chief Officer (Social Services) and his team were continuing to work to reduce the level of debt arising from joint-funded care packages.

On further discussion, Councillor Jones proposed that a letter be sent to BCUHB, signed by the Chairs of both this Committee and the Social & Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee in appreciation of the response and to await progress on the appeals process.  This was seconded by Councillor Geoff Collett.

It was noted that a report on the amounts lost to joint-funded care packages, as requested previously, was scheduled for the December meeting.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee notes the progress which has been made; and

(b)       That a joint letter be sent to the Chief Executive of the Health Board signed by the Chairs of this Committee and the Social & Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee to (i) express appreciation of the response, and (ii) reinforce concerns about the appeals process for disputed funded cases and the current debt level.