Decision details

The Better Care Fund (BCF) is a programme spanning both the NHS and local government which seeks to join-up health and care services, so that people can manage their own health and well-being and live independently in their communities for as long as possible.

The programme is planned and delivered at Health and Wellbeing Board area level across England. For West Sussex, day to day oversight of BCF is within the remit of the Joint Commissioning Strategy Group on behalf of the Health and Wellbeing Board. BCF planning is undertaken on an annual process, which follows the issuing of national BCF planning guidance from NHS England.

The national BCF programme requires local systems to enter into a joint commitment via an Agreement under Section 75 of the NHS Act. This enables budgets and decision-making authority to be delegated between West Sussex County Council (WSCC) and West Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB), to the benefit of the BCF Programme.

The extension and variation of the BCF Section 75 agreement has been appraised by County Council Legal Services. 

As 2024/25 national planning guidance requires agreements to be signed and in place by 30 September, an update to the financial schedules of the agreement is proposed documenting the 2024/25 income and expenditure. 

This decision will confirm that WSCC will extend the BCF Section 75 agreement for 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025.

The Director of Adults and Health has approved that West Sussex County Council enters into the extension of the Better Care Fund Section 75 agreement (as attached to this report at Appendix 1), for 2024-25.

None.