Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11^th July, 2011.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11^th July, 2011, be approved as a correct record.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council))

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to any consultations/negotiations).

Further to Minute No. 77 of 11^th April, 2011, the Business Finance and Commissioning Manager reported that, as part of the Council’s budget setting process, it had been agreed that consultation take place on proposals to increase non-residential Social Care charges which included:-

-        Withdrawal of the disposal income allowance currently 20%

-        Increase the maximum charge limit from £200 to £250 per week

-        An increase in the hourly Home Care charge from £12.85 to £13.90.

1 in 4 people had responded to the consultation exercise with the majority of customers agreeing that it was fair to ask people to pay more to cover the reductions in Council funding.  More agreed than fully disagreed with the increase in the hourly Home Care charge and less than half of customers fully disagreed with the reduction in the special income allowance and with the increase in the maximum charge limit.

Discussion ensued on the proposed increases with the following points highlighted:-

-        The proposed increase in maximum charge limit would affect those with in excess of £23,000 savings i.e. 9 people would have to pay the extra £50

-        Unfair to compare charges with those of neighbouring authorities due to differing eligibility criteria

-        Demands on disposal income with regard to increased fuel and food prices

-        There may be an initial “drop off” in clients accessing services

-        Anyone declining a service because of cost  would be reviewed to ensure they were in receipt of their correct benefit entitlement

Resolved:-  (1)  That the withdrawing of the disposal income allowance, currently 20%, be approved.

(2)  That the hourly Home Care charge be increased from £12.85 to £13.90.

Recommended:-  (3)  That the Cabinet be requested to consider increasing the maximum charge limit from £200.00 to £230.00 per week.

The Director of Health and Wellbeing reported on the outcome of the end-to-end management review of M3 Managers that had been undertaken together with an analysis of services currently delivered and outturn of performance.

The structures and duties therein were set out at the meeting.

Recruitment for the vacant Managers’ posts would take place shortly.

Resolved:-  That the new management structure be noted.

(Exempt under Paragraph 2 of the Act – information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual)