2026/2044

I am writing to submit a Freedom of Information request regarding the management and expenditure of Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) funding by Primary Care Networks (PCNs).

ARRS surplus funding and commissioner approval

1. Please provide copies of any policies, guidance, procedures or documented instructions in force during the 2025/26 financial year concerning whether a PCN may retain or spend a surplus arising where ARRS funding claimed exceeds the actual salary and associated employment costs of ARRS staff.
2. Specifically, please clarify from your existing documented records:

• Whether commissioner approval is required before a PCN can spend such a surplus.
• Whether any restrictions apply to the purpose for which such surplus funding may be spent.
• Whether PCNs are required to report or seek approval for expenditure of surplus ARRS funding through the ICB claims portal or another process.

North Trafford PCN

3. Please provide the following information for North Trafford PCN for the 2025/26 financial year:

• Whether North Trafford PCN sought permission or approval from NHS Greater Manchester ICB to spend any surplus ARRS funding arising from the difference between the amount claimed and actual ARRS staff salary and associated employment costs.
• If permission or approval was sought, the date of the request, the nature of the request and the outcome of the ICB’s decision.
• Copies of any relevant approval, correspondence, meeting minutes or other recorded information relating to such a request, subject to applicable FOI exemptions.

Q1 & Q2

The ICB does not hold a separate local policy, guidance document, procedure, or recorded instruction relating specifically to the retention or expenditure of any surplus arising from Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) funding.

ARRS reimbursements are processed in accordance with the published Network Contract DES: Contract specification 2025/26 – PCN requirements and entitlements, issued nationally by NHS England. This document sets out the rights and obligations of participating practices, PCNs and commissioners for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. [england.nhs.uk]

The ICB’s role is to reimburse claims that are eligible and compliant with the requirements of the national Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (DES). The ICB does not operate a separate local framework governing the retention or expenditure of any difference between ARRS funding claimed and the actual employment costs incurred.

Accordingly:

1. Commissioner approval
   • The ICB does not hold a separate local policy or process requiring commissioner approval for the expenditure of any ARRS funding surplus beyond the requirements set out in the national Network Contract DES documentation.
2. Restrictions on use of surplus funding
   • The ICB does not hold a separate local policy specifying permitted or prohibited uses of any ARRS funding surplus. Reimbursement arrangements are administered in line with the national Network Contract DES requirements. [england.nhs.uk]
3. Reporting or approval through the claims portal
   • The ICB uses its claims process to reimburse eligible ARRS expenditure in accordance with the national DES requirements. The ICB does not hold any separate local policy requiring PCNs to seek approval for the expenditure of any surplus through the ARRS claims portal or another local process.

The principal source of guidance relied upon by the ICB is the nationally published Network Contract DES: Contract specification 2025/26 – PCN requirements and entitlements, available at:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/network-contract-des-contract-specification-2025-26-pcn-requirements-and-entitlements/ [england.nhs.uk]

No additional local policy documents have been identified within scope of your request.

Q3 There is no formal record through the Greater Manchester ICB governance process that North Trafford PCN sought permission or approval from NHS Greater Manchester ICB to spend any surplus ARRS funding arising from the difference between the amount claimed and actual ARRS staff salary and associated employment costs.