This week's Councillor Column is written by Lorna Douglas, SNP councillor for Helensburgh Central.

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The Integration Joint Board (IJB) of the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, faced with a budget shortfall of some £13 million, met at Kilmory last Wednesday to consider proposals for savings and changes to service, in order to reduce operational costs.

The SNP members of Argyll and Bute Council welcomed the apology made by the chair of the IJB, Mr Robin Creelman, who clearly recognised the serious impact of a leaked briefing paper, intended for internal discussion, being released to the public; and the resultant detrimental impact this had on hard working staff and service users.

The IJB chair made pains to emphasise that it had never been intended that any decisions should be taken in secret.

The IJB agreed a budget, which set aside the most unacceptable and damaging cuts.

The board also agreed to the Scottish Government’s offer of practical support, as they look to a future plan that will include engaging with communities in the redesign of healthcare services.

Some of the cuts proposed in the leaked briefing paper made for difficult and uncomfortable reading. Thankfully a U-turn in approach, due to public and political pressure, saw jobs and frontline services for the most vulnerable in Argyll and Bute protected.

Alternative proposals to address the budget shortfall will be put forward to the board in May.

There is also a real need to address the issue of ‘meaningful consultation’ with all concerned in the delivery of services.

By this I mean a need to ‘listen’ to what is been said rather than to ‘interpret from the listening’ what will tick a box.

The SNP council group welcomes the agreement of the board’s members to accept the offer of assistance from the Scottish Government.

With this support we hope that aspects of efficiency and new ways of working are at the forefront of proposals to be considered at the IJB’s meeting in May.

The future challenges to our health and social care partnership are many, not least to find a balance between finance, the processes of delivery and the care that is received.

A period of ‘watchful waiting’ has begun.