| Title |
IJB Approved Savings Proposals 2025/26 |
| Lead officer(s) |
Alex McPhee - Interim Chief Finance Officer |
| Telephone number |
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| Email address |
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| Date summary created |
15 Dec 2025 |
| Date assessment completed |
19 Nov 2025 |
| Summary of policy aims |
To enable the Integration Joint Board to achieve financial balance for the 2025/26 financial year in accordance with the statutory Financial Regulations for integrated health and social care services, as described in the Health and Social Care Integration Scheme and in accompanying legislation. The financial savings are proposed to help mitigate budget pressures, achieve financial balance and align to the IJB's strategic planning priorities for 2025/26. The proposals have been developed, to where possible help:
• Achieve a balanced budget
• Improve efficiencies in service delivery
• More effectively target resources
• Minimise negative impacts on service delivery and outcomes for supported people. |
| Key issues |
Client groups impacted include people who use services and their families/carers, members of the public, employees, and external delivery partners.
Positive impacts:
• The proposals will help the IJB meet its statutory obligation to achieve financial balance by ensuring that resources can be prioritised to support the most vulnerable and by delivering efficiencies wherever possible
• The proposals will provide an opportunity for service realignment to provide clearer support pathways and maximise personal independence
Negative:
• Savings proposals may result in some people not receiving the same support to that which they currently receive or would expect to receive
• The cumulative impact of proposals could affect flow through the system and result in some people spending more time in inappropriate care settings
• Some people living in specific geographical locations may experience a cumulative impact through reduced access to services
• Young carers may experience an increase in caring responsibilities
• Young adults transitioning from child to adult services may face gaps in support
Mitigating Factors:
• Use of Integrated Impact Assessments to identify impacts and mitigations
• Consistent application of My Life My Plan/Review Outcomes Assessment Framework
• Application of revised Eligibility Criteria for access to health and social care services to ensure that resources are prioritised for those most in need
• Development of the Social Care Programme Board to ensure an integrated approach to the application of the revised eligibility criteria within a refresh of all related Self-Directed Support processes and practices
• Robust financial monitoring and governance of resources
• Best Value Service Reviews to ensure long term sustainability and effective delivery of services by realising savings and reducing service delivery safely
• Continued engagement with community and third sector partners to identify alternative supports
• Ongoing support for young and adult carers through Young Carer Statements and Adult Carer Support Plans
• Close working with East Ayrshire Carers Centre to maximise the potential of short break supports
• Development of telehealth, telehealth and smart support solutions to support people to live in independently and safety in their own homes |
| Summary of involvement with Groups |
A public-facing consultation was undertaken by East Ayrshire Council on the budget setting process for 2025/26, concluding on 7 February 2025. An online survey was hosted on the Engagement HQ consultation platform to gather residents', employees' and other stakeholders' views on strategic priorities, where spend should be prioritized, and where investment today will realize savings tomorrow. Engagement HQ was visited 2,284 times, with 699 people completing the online survey. Targeted in person sessions were held with communities; trade unions; East Ayrshire Children and Young People's Cabinet; the Equalities Forum; the business community; and employees.
A varied range of feedback was received, with survey respondents generally in agreement with the Council's strategic priorities and clearly identifying areas for prioritized spend and attention across a number of themes including Children and Young People's Services and Health & Social Care. Survey respondents and attendees at in-person events felt that an early intervention and prevention approach was key to addressing high demands on services. |
| Key recommendations |
Integration Joint Board to approve savings proposals. |