Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Budget Engagement
The Argyll & Bute HSCP budget for 2026–27 shows that we do not have enough money to cover all our costs. This means we have a budget deficit.
In 2025, we spoke to communities about our financial situation. One of the results was the Threshold of Care Policy, which helps us make fair decisions about who receives care. We also made some changes to how we work to help balance the budget this year.
We also asked you what you wanted us to focus on in the Joint Strategic Plan. Some of the things you told us may be different from the savings we now need to make.
Costs are rising and more people need support. But the money we receive is not increasing in the same way. Because of this, we have a budget gap. By law, we must set a balanced budget, so we need to make difficult choices about what we can afford.
This means we need to prioritise our services. Some services may need to change. This might include:
- Reducing support for some people or carers
- Having fewer staff
- Stopping a service
- Changing how much support we can give
- Reducing funding for organisations that deliver services for us
Find out more in the Frequently Asked Questions.
Please take part in our questionnaire, and share your ideas, to have your say.
Please send paper questionnaires to the following address:
FAO HSCP, Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre, 38 East Clyde Street, Helensburgh, G84 7PG


The Argyll & Bute HSCP budget for 2026–27 shows that we do not have enough money to cover all our costs. This means we have a budget deficit.
In 2025, we spoke to communities about our financial situation. One of the results was the Threshold of Care Policy, which helps us make fair decisions about who receives care. We also made some changes to how we work to help balance the budget this year.
We also asked you what you wanted us to focus on in the Joint Strategic Plan. Some of the things you told us may be different from the savings we now need to make.
Costs are rising and more people need support. But the money we receive is not increasing in the same way. Because of this, we have a budget gap. By law, we must set a balanced budget, so we need to make difficult choices about what we can afford.
This means we need to prioritise our services. Some services may need to change. This might include:
- Reducing support for some people or carers
- Having fewer staff
- Stopping a service
- Changing how much support we can give
- Reducing funding for organisations that deliver services for us
Find out more in the Frequently Asked Questions.
Please take part in our questionnaire, and share your ideas, to have your say.
Please send paper questionnaires to the following address:
FAO HSCP, Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre, 38 East Clyde Street, Helensburgh, G84 7PG


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Campbeltown Drop in session venue change
Share Campbeltown Drop in session venue change on Facebook Share Campbeltown Drop in session venue change on Twitter Share Campbeltown Drop in session venue change on Linkedin Email Campbeltown Drop in session venue change linkArgyll and Bute HSCP has moved the venue for the budget consultation drop in session in Campbeltown from the Aqualibrium Leisure Centre to the Campbeltown Town Hall. The date remains the same (16 February) and the timings of the session remain the same (10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm). We would like to apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.
Date Area Location 16 February 2026 Campbeltown Campbeltown Town Hall, 54 Main Street, Campbeltown, PA28 6AB Argyll and Bute HSCP has moved the venue for the budget consultation drop in session in Campbeltown from the Aqualibrium Leisure Centre to the Campbeltown Town Hall. The date remains the same (16 February) and the timings of the session remain the same (10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm). We would like to apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.
Date Area Location 16 February 2026 Campbeltown Campbeltown Town Hall, 54 Main Street, Campbeltown, PA28 6AB -
Community Engagement Online Sessions
Share Community Engagement Online Sessions on Facebook Share Community Engagement Online Sessions on Twitter Share Community Engagement Online Sessions on Linkedin Email Community Engagement Online Sessions linkHave your say on Argyll & Bute’s Budget Proposals Online
Argyll & Bute HSCP is inviting residents, service users, carers, community groups, and partners to take part in our Budget Consultation online engagement events.
These sessions are an opportunity to hear more about the pressures facing health and social care services, ask questions, and share your views on proposed changes.We want to understand what matters most to you and how proposed changes may affect individuals, families, carers, and communities. Your feedback will help shape the final recommendations presented to the Integration Joint Board later this year.
These informal sessions will be facilitated by HSCP managers aiming to be relaxed, welcoming, and focused on listening. You do not have to stay for the whole session
What We’ll Be Discussing
- Impacts on service users, carers, families, and communities of any of the proposals
- Any other considerations we may not have identified
Why Your Voice Matters
Your insight helps us understand real‑world impacts and ensures that decision‑makers have a full picture when reviewing the proposals.
How to Take Part
We are consulting in person and online. We are also working directly with people and services.
Join Online
Our consultation events are open to everyone in Argyll & Bute. Drop in at a time that suits you to discuss the proposals and share your views.
🗓️ 25 February
⏰ 6pm-7.30pm
💻 Online (Microsoft Teams)
🔗 https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/56432ee1-d5c7-46a0-be13-85ec06ac64c1@8a444059-4d8c-4970-b42c-299f9c3910e0🗓️ 2 March
⏰ 6pm-7.30pm
💻 Online (Microsoft Teams)
🔗 https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/938a13be-8083-4b69-ba16-0d5802a1d6dc@8a444059-4d8c-4970-b42c-299f9c3910e0
If you can’t attend either in person or online but would still like to contribute, you can take part via our online consultation form:https://nhsh.uk.engagementhq.com/argyll-and-bute-budget-project/surveys/questionnaire1
Have your say on Argyll & Bute’s Budget Proposals Online
Argyll & Bute HSCP is inviting residents, service users, carers, community groups, and partners to take part in our Budget Consultation online engagement events.
These sessions are an opportunity to hear more about the pressures facing health and social care services, ask questions, and share your views on proposed changes.We want to understand what matters most to you and how proposed changes may affect individuals, families, carers, and communities. Your feedback will help shape the final recommendations presented to the Integration Joint Board later this year.
These informal sessions will be facilitated by HSCP managers aiming to be relaxed, welcoming, and focused on listening. You do not have to stay for the whole session
What We’ll Be Discussing
- Impacts on service users, carers, families, and communities of any of the proposals
- Any other considerations we may not have identified
Why Your Voice Matters
Your insight helps us understand real‑world impacts and ensures that decision‑makers have a full picture when reviewing the proposals.
How to Take Part
We are consulting in person and online. We are also working directly with people and services.
Join Online
Our consultation events are open to everyone in Argyll & Bute. Drop in at a time that suits you to discuss the proposals and share your views.
🗓️ 25 February
⏰ 6pm-7.30pm
💻 Online (Microsoft Teams)
🔗 https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/56432ee1-d5c7-46a0-be13-85ec06ac64c1@8a444059-4d8c-4970-b42c-299f9c3910e0🗓️ 2 March
⏰ 6pm-7.30pm
💻 Online (Microsoft Teams)
🔗 https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/938a13be-8083-4b69-ba16-0d5802a1d6dc@8a444059-4d8c-4970-b42c-299f9c3910e0
If you can’t attend either in person or online but would still like to contribute, you can take part via our online consultation form:https://nhsh.uk.engagementhq.com/argyll-and-bute-budget-project/surveys/questionnaire1
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Drop in Sessions
Share Drop in Sessions on Facebook Share Drop in Sessions on Twitter Share Drop in Sessions on Linkedin Email Drop in Sessions linkThe drop in sessions for general consultation will be held at the following venues between 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm.
If you use a service or have a specific interest in a service we may wish to talk to you directly about that.
Date
Area
Location
9 February
Oban
Studio Theatre, Corran Halls
11 February
Helensburgh
Community Room, Civic Centre, 38 E Clyde Street, Helensburgh, G84 7PG
11 February
Rothesay
The Bank of Ideas, 17 High Street, Rothesay, PA207UG
13 February
Dunoon
Old Library, Queens Hall, 9 Argyll Street, Dunoon, PA23 7HH
13 February
Lochgilphead
Room 5, Lochgilphead Education Community Centre, Manse Brae, Lochgilphead, PA31 8QX
16 February
Campbeltown
*CHANGE OF VENUE*
Campbeltown Town Hal, 54 Mail Street PA28 6AB
Conference Room, Aqualibrium, CampbeltownWe will run our online sessions in the evening and will post these soon!
The drop in sessions for general consultation will be held at the following venues between 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm.
If you use a service or have a specific interest in a service we may wish to talk to you directly about that.
Date
Area
Location
9 February
Oban
Studio Theatre, Corran Halls
11 February
Helensburgh
Community Room, Civic Centre, 38 E Clyde Street, Helensburgh, G84 7PG
11 February
Rothesay
The Bank of Ideas, 17 High Street, Rothesay, PA207UG
13 February
Dunoon
Old Library, Queens Hall, 9 Argyll Street, Dunoon, PA23 7HH
13 February
Lochgilphead
Room 5, Lochgilphead Education Community Centre, Manse Brae, Lochgilphead, PA31 8QX
16 February
Campbeltown
*CHANGE OF VENUE*
Campbeltown Town Hal, 54 Mail Street PA28 6AB
Conference Room, Aqualibrium, CampbeltownWe will run our online sessions in the evening and will post these soon!
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News and Updates
Share News and Updates on Facebook Share News and Updates on Twitter Share News and Updates on Linkedin Email News and Updates linkHave Your Say: Consultation on Budget Proposals in Argyll & Bute
The Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board (IJB) met on Wednesday 28 January 2026 and agreed that a series of savings proposals should now move to public engagement and consultation, which will run until 12 March 2026.
Although there has been a reported slight improvement in the budget for this year, the HSCP still has significant financial problems. We will need to decide to prioritisie services. Its important to understand that we see all of our services as valuable, those delivered by us and by people be pay to deliver them.
We want to work closely with communities to make sure they are a key part of the IJB’s decision‑making process.
The consultation will be promoted widely, including:
- In‑person community sessions
- Online engagement
- Paper questionnaires available on request
- We will put up posters in lots of places so more people in our community can see them and join in
- We will support staff to feedback through team meetings and listen to professional advice
Staff and communities can find out more on this hub and we will update this through the consultation.
Please subscribe to receive updates
Your voice matters
This is about making sure we can continue to provide safe, effective care for everyone in Argyll & Bute. Please take a few minutes to share your views—we’re listening.
Have Your Say: Consultation on Budget Proposals in Argyll & Bute
The Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board (IJB) met on Wednesday 28 January 2026 and agreed that a series of savings proposals should now move to public engagement and consultation, which will run until 12 March 2026.
Although there has been a reported slight improvement in the budget for this year, the HSCP still has significant financial problems. We will need to decide to prioritisie services. Its important to understand that we see all of our services as valuable, those delivered by us and by people be pay to deliver them.
We want to work closely with communities to make sure they are a key part of the IJB’s decision‑making process.
The consultation will be promoted widely, including:
- In‑person community sessions
- Online engagement
- Paper questionnaires available on request
- We will put up posters in lots of places so more people in our community can see them and join in
- We will support staff to feedback through team meetings and listen to professional advice
Staff and communities can find out more on this hub and we will update this through the consultation.
Please subscribe to receive updates
Your voice matters
This is about making sure we can continue to provide safe, effective care for everyone in Argyll & Bute. Please take a few minutes to share your views—we’re listening.
Follow Project
Lifecycle
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Open
Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Budget Engagement has finished this stageThis consultation is open for contributions.
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Under Review
Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Budget Engagement is currently at this stageContributions to this consultation are closed for evaluation and review. The project team will report back on key outcomes.
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Final report
this is an upcoming stage for Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Budget EngagementThe final outcomes of the consultation are documented here. This may include a summary of all contributions collected as well as recommendations for future action.
Key Dates
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30 January 2026
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09 February 2026
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20 February 2026
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24 February 2026
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25 February 2026
Budget Consultation Documents
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Budget Consultation Proposals
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Budget Consultation proposal 202627 (3.27 MB) (docx)
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Contracts and Grants Review (33 KB) (docx)
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Responder Service Review (30.2 KB) (docx)
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Changes in how we deliver older adult social care in Kintyre (28.7 KB) (docx)
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Care charging (30.4 KB) (docx)
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Older Adult Day Services (31 KB) (docx)
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How Transport Supports Health and Social Care (29.4 KB) (docx)
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Reduction in Social Work Staffing (28.1 KB) (docx)
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How do we currently spend our budget (128 KB) (docx)
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Transformation priorities (3.07 MB) (docx)
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Downloadable questionnaire (30.7 KB) (pdf)
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Downloadable Easy Read Questionnaire (41.5 KB) (docx)
Who's Listening
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Delivering health and social care in Argyll & Bute