Decision details

The Committee considered a report which sought approval to implement the revised Adult Social Care charging policies.

The policy had not been updated since 2015 and the revised policy would align the Council’s fees and charges with those paid for commissioned services and adopt the minimum income guarantee set by the Department of Health and Social Care. The changes outlined aimed to enable reinvestment of savings into front line services, contributing to maintaining service delivery and ability to meet growing demand.

Work would be undertaken with residents to mitigate concerns in respect of affordability. Every resident charged for Adult Social Care services would have a financial assessment review after the 1^st of April.

In response to questions and comments from Members, Officers reported that:

-       Although the policy had not been updated since 2015, there were many fees and charges linked to benefits and pensions that automatically changed every year, which did not require a change in policy.

-       At the point of assessment in adult social care the finances of the Council could be taken into consideration. However, once the eligible needs of an individual have been assessed, the Council has a duty to meet the needs after this point,

-       The Care Act provided a legal framework for charging for care and support and the Council could challenge an individual if it could be proven that they may have tried to deliberately avoid paying for care costs through depriving themselves of assets – either capital or income.

RESOLVED (by Majority):

That the Adults and Health Committee approve the implementation of the revised Adult Social Care charging policies.