Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Chair Karen Hawkins chaired the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

Members considered a report that informed the Board of the submission of Stockton-on-Tees’ BCF Plans for 2025/26 to NHS England on 31 March 2025 and sought acknowledgment and support for new governance arrangements.

Key Points from report and discussion:

-The BCF Plan 2025/26 continued to promote care closer to home, prevention-focused services, and digital transformation.

- Strategic reforms aimed to:

·       Prevent the escalation of complex health and care needs.

·       Reduce avoidable hospital admissions and delays in discharge.

·       Support independent living and decrease reliance on residential/nursing care.

-Governance structure included oversight by Board, a Local Oversight Group, and the Pooled Budget Partnership Board.

-The plan comprised three elements:

1.    Narrative Plan – strategic aims and partnership governance.

2.    Planning Template – metrics (e.g., emergency admissions, discharges, long-term care), funding allocations.

3.    Intermediate Care Capacity & Demand – forecasting based on previous activity.

-Targets set for emergency admissions, discharge delays, and long-term residential care placements.

-Reablement metrics were removed nationally but local data tracking continued.

-Quarterly updates and a year-end report will be shared with the Board.

Further discussion points:

-There had been a slight reduction in reablement metrics and this would be tracked.

-Importance of linking lived experience to improvement work was stressed.

RESOLVED that the submission of the BCF Plans to NHS England and proposed BCF governance arrangements and wider collaboration through the establishment of Local Oversight Group, be noted.

Concern was raised about parking issues at the Stockton Diagnostic Centre and the effect on vulnerable people. Also, issues relating to accessibility issues in housing association properties. These would be looked at outside the meeting.

The Forward Plan was noted by Members.

-The Board noted the upcoming thematic discussions aligned with the delivery plan.

-A future meeting would focus on strategic prioritisation and leadership roles for the next 12 months.

RESOLVED that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Chair explained that she had agreed to the following item being considered, at this meeting, as an Urgent Item, as it was important that the Board took a view on it soon and it was not possible to delay consideration to the next meeting.

A request for the Board’s support was considered, for a research initiative involving two GP practices. The initiative aimed to improve chronic health outcomes through increased access to innovative treatments.

RESOLVED that the Board’s support be given to be used to support the bid.