Issue - meetings

Better Care Fund

Meeting: 05/05/2026 - Cabinet (Item 7)

Additional documents:

Appendix 1, item 7 PDF 263 KB

Minutes:

Background:

The report presented Medway’s Better Care Fund plan for 2026-2027 for the Cabinet’s approval. The Better Care Fund (BCF) in Medway was a joint plan between NHS Kent and Medway ICB and Medway Council with Medway NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) as a key stakeholder. The BCF pooled budget was administered in accordance with a Section 75 agreement between Kent and Medway NHS and the Council.

The report had previously been considered by the Health and Wellbeing Board on 16 April 2026. The Cabinet thanked the Board for its comments which were set out in the minutes at section 7 of the report.

Decision *number:*	Decision:
	The Cabinet noted the comments of the Health and Wellbeing Board, as set out in section 7 of the report.
74/2026	The Cabinet approved the Better Care Fund plan for 2026-2027, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.
75/2026	The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Director of People and Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council, to oversee any further changes to the Better Care Fund plan and S75 agreement, as required to meet national approval.
76/2026	The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Director of People and Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Deputy Leader of the Council, to approve all monitoring reports as required by NHS England.

Reasons:

Approval of the Better Care Fund Plan 2026-2027 is essential for the receipt of funding and continuation of many key services in Medway that support residents and carers, reducing the pressure on health and social care services.