A commitment to protect the most vulnerable members of South Lanarkshire communities – amid a hard financial backdrop – has been reinforced.  As has been well-publicised, health and social care services across Scotland are faced with ever increasing demands and rising costs.

Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer for South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board (IJB) explained that steps are being taken to protect essential services and prepare for unavoidably tough choices ahead as the IJB agreed proposals to plug the budget gap for 2023/24.

“Significant cost pressures are being faced across all local public services and I fully recognise the scale and implications of these challenges will be concerning for our communities.

“The unremitting focus of our hardworking staff and our leadership team is to keep people safe.

“The reality is that we will need to grapple with serious decisions in the coming months and years.

“Innovation and change will be essential in order to protect our most vulnerable people – and we are committed to that.”

Mr Sengupta’s comments were made following South Lanarkshire IJB’s meeting on the 28th of March at which it set its budget for the year ahead.

Members of the IJB agreed the basis for a realistic and responsible local approach, as set out in its Financial Plan 2023/2024.

“The IJB has recognised the important work that needs to be done to ensure financially sustainability in the months and years ahead” added Mr Sengupta.

The IJB also has a legal obligation to be in a balanced financial position to ensure it is able to ensure the provision of statutory functions and essential services. The budget saw a decision on one means of bridging part of the gap deferred to South Lanarkshire Council’s Executive Committee on March 29. That was approved, but with an amendment, which means the IJB continues to work closely with partners to achieve parity.

Notwithstanding those ongoing efforts and diligence, Lesley McDonald, Chair of the IJB said, “The approval of this budget strengthens our position to negotiate the realities in front of us.

“Early considerations have already been factored into the Strategic Commissioning Plan, which establishes priorities for health and care delivery and was set out following close dialogue with stakeholders and communities.

Ms McDonald added: “All IJB members have recognised the need to explore and progress transformational change with our partners.

“Without this, there is a risk that temporary solutions are relied upon to bridge funding gaps which do not address the longer-term financial pressures.”

IJB papers are available on this link.