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would have commissioned transport withdrawn without an appropriate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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.