Issue - meetings

To agree a consultation on a revised Adult Social Care Charging Policy.

The Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care and Health Systems presented the report of the Director: Adult Social Care.

The Council’s Adult Social Care Charging Policies, compared to national Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) maximum charging guidelines, were currently significantly below these guidelines. In addition the current charges were not comparable with many other Local Authorities being lower than the average charging rates.

A review had been undertaken on the Adult Social Care Residential and Non-Residential Care Charging Policies. This had identified key areas for proposed change which were set out in the report.

The report set out the increasing number of people needing access to social care services, specialist care, complex care and support and the increase in the ageing population.  

Whilst additional investment totalling over £7.26m (net of savings) into Adult Social Care in 2023/24 has been agreed, it was not possible to continue providing the same services, in the same ways. In order to ensure that the Council could continue to meet the needs of vulnerable adults in the community, it would be necessary to explore new approaches to deliver better outcomes for people and to ensure that Council operated as efficiently as possible. 

The consultation would help the Council to fully understand the impact of the proposed changes and ensure the provision of the highest standard of care.   Contributions would remain affordable and based on the individual’s circumstances following a financial assessment.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report but highlighted concerns regarding funding challenges and the difficult decisions that would need to be made whilst providing the level of care required across the Borough.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat group welcomed the consultation, but recognised that there would need to be an increase in charges in order to deliver a balanced budget.  It was important to signpost residents to services they could access, whilst ensuring the most vulnerable were protected.

The Leader of the Conservative group noted the population changes and the increase in the ageing population nationally, but felt that this did not necessarily give rise to draw and demand.

RESOLVED – that

a)         the consultation documents, with the proposed changes to the draft policies appended to the report, be approved;

b)        the approach set out in the report in relation to consultation and engagement with people with care and support needs and their families be approved;

c)         an eleven week consultation period be approved;

d)        authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care and Health Systems in consultation with Director: Adult Social Care to receive the outcome of the consultation and update the policies and implementation of proposals from 01 January 2024; and

e)         the charging be increased in accordance with inflation and / or national guidance each year thereafter until further review, as appropriate.