Issue - meetings

To consider the results of a consultation on the provision of adult services transport and associated client charges, and to approve a phased programme to move away from strategically commissioned adult transport provision over the next two financial years.

Consideration was given to the results of a consultation on the provision of adult services transport and associated client charges, and to a phased programme to move away from strategically commissioned adult transport provision over the next two financial years. 

In considering this matter in was stressed that Adult Services was committed to ensuring that no individuals would have commissioned transport withdrawn without an appropriate alternative solution being available to them to meet their eligible unmet transport needs.

RESOLVED

1. That approval be given for Adult Services and Places to begin a phased programme from April 2011, to move away from Strategically Commissioned Adult Transport provision over the next two financial years.  This extended timescale is to mitigate against corporate cost impacts, customer safe transition and to enable the market and support services to fully develop to aid a safe transfer.   Adult Services recognise that there may be a need to retain a small element of strategically commissioned transport for those individuals who cannot be supported to travel through alternative transport options.

2. That it be agreed that no new Adult Services eligible transport needs will be met through strategically commissioned transport, unless in very exceptional circumstances and where legally required to do so.

3. That the Places Directorate and Adult Services work closely to develop a range of mitigating measures and alternative provision, as detailed in section 3 of the report.

4. That approval be given for Adults Services to set the fee for commissioned transport to £4 per one-way trip from 9 April 2011 (representing a £2 per trip increase) bringing additional income of £200k based on current transport user numbers which will taper as demand reduces.   The average amount people felt they would be happy to pay from consultation equates to £4.55 per one-way trip.  Adults with mobility issues receive a welfare benefit which should be used to pay toward transport.  Within disregarded income, people have an amount protected for transportation and all eligible customers would also have concessionary travel passes.

1. That approval be given for the re-investment of savings amounting to £473,400 (2011/12 detailed in Section 7 of the report) to develop transport support services, develop concessionary travel and to cover the likely demand on personal budget expenditure.  Future years investment would then be determined by demand on provision.