Issue - items at meetings - Adult Social Care Charging Policy (Non Residential Services)

Report of Director of Adult Social Services (copy attached).                    

(1)       That the following table of maximum charges for in-house services are agreed with effect from 8^th April 2013

Current Maximum Charges      2012/13         Proposed  2013/14         People                          Income

                                                                                                                         Affected          Adjustment

In-house home care/support        £21.50 per hour              £20.00 per hour             40                            -£9,438

In-house day care                      £23.50 per day               £25.00 per day               100                   +£ 7,644

Maximum weekly charge            £900 per week               £900 (under review)        0                      0

Current Fixed Charges

Fixed Rate Transport                  £2.15 per return             £2.50 per return             170                  +£7,640

Fixed Meal charge at Day Care   £3.10 per meal               £3.50 per meal                140                   +£8,300

Fixed Carelink charge                                                     No change                     3000                 +£0.00

£14.50 month – with 2 key holders

£18.50 month – with 1 key holder

£21.50 month – no key holders but with a key safe

40.1    The Committee considered a report of the Director of Adult Social Services which explained that most Adult Social Care services were chargeable to service users.  Most charges were subject to a means test but the charging policy for Non-Residential Care Services included fixed rate charges and maximum charges for in-house services.  These rates were usually reviewed in April of each year when state benefits increased.  The charging policy took account of legislation, regulations and relevant Government Guidance.

40.2    Councillor Norman asked why in house home care/support was being reduced.  Meanwhile, he acknowledged that the maximum weekly charge had been an issue for years and he had no issue with removing this as long as no-one would be affected.  Councillor Norman referred to paragraph 3.6 in the report which stated that 140 people currently pay the maximum charge for in house home care and day care services.    He asked if they had been directed to direct payments. 

40.3    The Head of Assessments and Welfare Rights explained that these were people who had decided to choose to use in house services. 

40.4    The Chair explained that with regard to reducing the hourly rate, it was found that Brighton & Hove had one of the highest hourly charging rates for in-house home care in the country.  The view was that there was no reason why this authority should be excessively expensive when compared to the rest of the country. 

40.5    RESOLVED - (1)      That the following table of maximum charges for in-house services are agreed with effect from 8^th April 2013

Current Maximum Charges      2012/13         Proposed  2013/14         People                          Income

                                                                                                                         Affected          Adjustment

In-house home care/support        £21.50 per hour              £20.00 per hour             40                            -£9,438

In-house day care                      £23.50 per day               £25.00 per day               100                   +£ 7,644

Maximum weekly charge            £900 per week               £900 (under review)        0                      0

Current Fixed Charges

Fixed Rate Transport                  £2.15 per return             £2.50 per return             170                  +£7,640

Fixed Meal charge at Day Care   £3.10 per meal               £3.50 per meal                140                   +£8,300

Fixed Carelink charge                                                     No change                     3000                 +£0.00

£14.50 month – with 2 key holders

£18.50 month – with 1 key holder

£21.50 month – no key holders but with a key safe

Note:  Councillors Meadows, Barnett, Marsh, Mears and Robins abstained from voting on this item on grounds of lack of financial information.