Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.  He spoke about the early peak of this season’s flu strain and encouraged all those eligible for the flu and Covid vaccinations to take the opportunity.

The Chair noted the success of the HOPE Conference held on 12 November 2025 which had brought together people from across the health and social care system, partners and public, introducing the principles of Getting it Right for Everyone (GIRFE). He thanked those who facilitated it, presented and attended, and noted that feedback analysis was under way and would be used to help enhance planning.

The Chair thanked the new Chief Executive of NHS Grampian,  Laura Skaife-Knight, for attending the IJB Insights session on 31 October 2025. He stated that he was grateful to the Chief Executive and Chair of NHS Grampian for making time to speak to the IJB and update them on the current situation with NHS Grampian and was pleased to hear the Chief Executive reiterate the commitment to enhancing and expanding relations with partners including the IJB.

Members noted two important dates: (1) the 2026/27 Budget Consultation was live until 14 December 2025 and participation was encouraged; and (2) ACHSC Partnership Conference will take place on 28 January 2026.

Members heard that the new Depute Chief Finance Officer would start in post in mid February 2026.

Finally, the Chair welcomed Ritchie Johnson and Councillor Lee Fairfull as the incoming Chairs of the Risk, Audit and Performance and Clinical and Care Governance Committees respectively, and expressed his thanks to the outgoing Chairs, Councillor Martin Greig and Mark Burrell

The Board resolved:-

to note the Chair’s remarks.

Members are requested to intimate any Declarations of Interest or Transparency Statements

Members were requested to intimate any declarations of interest or transparency statements in respect of items on the agenda.

The Board resolved:-

(i)        to note that the Chair advised that he had a connection in relation to item 7.1 on the agenda (Grant Funding for Voluntary Organisations) by virtue of being a client of NESS and in relation to all items on the agenda by virtue of  (1) being a Member of the Diverse Experiences Advisory Panel, a named partner in the Scottish Government’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Delivery Plan; and (2) the Depute Representative of said Group to the Scottish Government Mental Health and Wellbeing Leadership Board, however having applied the objective test, he did not consider that he had an interest and would not be withdrawing from the meeting; and

(ii)        to note that Maggie Hepburn advised that she had an interest in relation to item 7.1 on the agenda and would therefore be withdrawing from the meeting for this item.

Members are requested to determine that any exempt business be considered with the press and public excluded

Members were requested to determine that any exempt business be considered with the press and public excluded.

The Board resolved:-

to consider the exempt report and its appendices during consideration of article 13 with the press and public excluded so as to avoid disclosure of exempt information in accordance with Standing Order 13 of the Scheme of Governance (July 2025), for the reason that: the business relates to the commercial interests, contractual terms (whether proposed or to be proposed), financial or business affairs of any person, and therefore confidentiality was required.

Members watched a video in respect of the Encore Group which was funded in part by a grant from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.  Ten Feet Tall Theatre, an Aberdeen based organisation, had been inspiring adults across the city to engage with theatre and foster meaningful connections through its Participate programme: Ten Feet Tall Theatre - Communities Mental Heath & Wellbeing Fund

One of the standout initiatives within the programme is the Encore group, specifically designed for individuals aged 60 and above, regardless of their previous experience with theatre.

The Board resolved:-

to note the video.

The Board had before it the minute of its meeting of 30 September 2025 and the 2025 Attendance Record.

The Board resolved:-

(i)        to approve the minute as a correct record; and

(ii)        to note the Attendance Record.

The Board had before it the draft minute of the Clinical and Care Governance Committee meeting of 7 October 2025.

The Board resolved:-

to note the minute.

The Board had before it the Business Planner, which was presented by the Chief Officer.

The Board resolved:-

(i)        to note the reasons for (1) removals at lines 12 (Shifting the Balance of Care), 13 (North East Population Alliance Strategic Partnership Agreement), 32 (GP Vision Update), 54 (Draft Debt Recovery (Mental Health Moratorium) (Scotland) Regulations) and 55 (National Care Service); and (2) the transfer to RAPC at line 41 (Health and Care Experience Report 2025-2026); and

(ii)        to otherwise agree the Planner.

The Board had before it the IJB Insights Sessions Planner prepared by the Strategy and Transformation Manager.

The Board resolved:-

(i)        to agree to defer the Health Behaviours topic on 13 January 2026 in order to allocate the full time slot to the Budget Savings Options topic; and

(ii)        to otherwise agree the Planner.

The Board had before it the report from the Chief Officer, ACHSCP who presented an update on highlighted topics and responded to questions from members.

The report recommended:-

that the Board note the detail contained within the report.

The Board resolved:-

to agree the recommendation.

The Board had before it a report prepared by the Deputy Chief Finance Officer in respect of Quarter 2 – 2025/2026 Financial Performance and Indicative results for year end 2025/2026.

The report recommended:-

that the Board:

(a)       note the indicative / projected financial performance of the IJB for the fiscal period 2025 / 2026;

(b)       note the financial performance of the IJB in Q2 – 2025/2026 (i.e. 6 month period) in relation to the updated 2025-2026 funding availability;

(c)        note the deterioration of the Costs of Services against budget from Q1 to Q2 further emphasising the need to meet current year savings targets, and the potentiality of extending these savings targets to the incoming fiscal year;

(d)       note the update on on-going work in regard to the administration of client care requirements and the role it plays in tracking the management of IJB’s financial performance and position;

(e)       note the link-up between the objectives of the public consultation and the savings targets being reviewed by the IJB, the message here being the prioritisation of care demands whilst the IJB identifies areas of costs management efficiencies; and

(f)        note the impact of the KPMG Diagnostics Report to the IJB in reference to the Level 4 investigation of the NHSG.

The Board resolved:-

(i)        to note the impact of the KPMG Diagnostics Report to the IJB in reference to the Level 4 escalation of the NHSG; and

(ii)        to otherwise approve the recommendations.

The Board had before it the Chief Social Work Officer’s Annual Report for year 2024/25, the purpose of which was to inform Members of the role and responsibilities exercised by the Chief Social Work Officer; to provide information on the delivery of statutory social work services and decision making in the period; and to give a progress report on key areas of social work activity within Aberdeen City.

The report recommended:-

that the Board note the content of the Annual Report, as attached at Appendix 1 of the report.

The Board resolved:-

to note the information provided.

The Board had before it the proposed meeting dates for 2026 - 27 in respect of the IJB, the Risk, Audit and Performance Committee and Clinical and Care Governance Committee.

The report recommended:-

that the Board approve the Meeting Schedule for 2026-27 at section 4.6 of the report.

The Board resolved:-

to approve the meeting schedule.

At this juncture and in accordance with the resolution at article 3 of the minute, the meeting went into private session.  Maggie Hepburn left the meeting for this item in accordance with her declaration of interest.

The Board had before it a report prepared by the Planning and Development Manager (Acting) in respect of future grant funding for Voluntary Organisations.

The report recommended:-

that the Board:

(a)          note the detail contained within the report;

(b)          approve the direct award of two contracts to the organisations detailed in the business cases in Appendix J and Appendix K of the report;

(c)          agree to no longer provide grant funding to the two general counselling services, as detailed within the report;

(d)          approve continued grant fund expenditure, for one year, of the transport services, as outlined in Appendix N of the report; and

(e)          make the Direction attached at Appendix O and instruct the Chief Officer to issue the Direction to Aberdeen City Council.

The Board resolved:-

to agree the recommendations.

The Chair paid tribute to Claire Wilson, Chief Officer – Adult Social Work, who was attending her last IJB meeting as she was leaving her post on 31 December 2025.  The Chair thanked Ms Wilson for her service, leadership and tenacity.  Members wished her well for the future.

The Board resolved:-

to endorse the Chair’s remarks.

IJB Insights:

·         9 December 2025

·         13 January 2026

Integration Joint Board:

·         3 February 2026

The Board had before it the dates of the next two IJB Insights Sessions and the IJB meeting of 3 February 2026.

The Board resolved:-

to note the meeting dates.

-           HUSSEIN PATWA, Chair.