EIJB Committee Meeting Decisions: Fri 1 Nov 2024

1. Since its inception, the EIJB has operated with a massive and unsustainable financial deficit of £32m;
2. Third sector partners and their volunteers make an invaluable contribution to our communities and are pivotal in keeping our citizens safe, well and active;
3. The proposal for in-year cuts would make a minimal saving in comparison to the overall in-year deficit but would have devastating impact on the residents who rely on these services;
4. Proposals around a potential future model for funding the third sector is due to come to the December board meeting for discussion;
5. Both the previous strategic plan, and the proposed new strategic plan for the IJB centre prevention, early intervention, community resilience and protecting our most vulnerable;
6. Limited engagement has taken place with the third sector to co-produce solutions to the funding shortfall;

1. Agrees to retain the grants programme to at least the end of the financial year;
2. Agrees to note the report and refer it to CEC and NHSL for their consideration on how we can address the in-year financial deficit while protecting services and third sector organisations;
3. Agrees to hold discussions as soon as possible with NHS Lothian, the Council, and third sector organisations to consider alternative proposals for the long-term future of thirdsector funding, mindful of the current financial position across the Scottish public sector and the need to meet EIJB objectives;
4. Agrees that budget discussions comply as far as possible with the Audit Scotland recommendation for “clear and open conversations with IJB partners, workforce, people who use services and other stakeholders around the difficult choices required to achieve financial sustainability”.

Full proposals paper can be found here.