Issue - meetings

Since the formation of BCP Council on 1^st April 2019, the council has operated under the three legacy Adult Social Care Charging policies for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. It is therefore necessary to adopt a new single charging policy in order to operate a fair and equitable approach to adult social care charging. A public consultation was launched on the proposals for the new policy in January 2020 and concluded in March 2020. The results of this consultation have informed the drafting of a new single policy. This new Adult Social Care Charging policy, subject to Cabinet approval will be implemented on 1^st April 2021.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)          Approves the new Adult Social Care Charging Policy; and

(b)          Approves the mitigation measures as recommended by Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee which are set out in paragraphs 18 to 22 of the report.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Adults

Reason

The outcome of the consultation has been used to inform the development of this policy and demonstrates that the majority of respondents do not object to the introduction of charges which would apply equally to all BCP residents. Establishing a new single policy with clear and fair underpinning principles is necessary to introduce equitable charging for residents who receive Adult Social Care services from BCP Council.

The Portfolio Holder for Adults presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'J' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet were advised that since the formation of BCP Council on 1^st April 2019, the council has operated under the three legacy Adult Social Care Charging policies for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and that it is therefore necessary to adopt a new single charging policy in order to operate a fair and equitable approach to adult social care charging. In relation to this Cabinet were advised that a public consultation was launched on the proposals for the new policy in January 2020 and concluded in March 2020, and that the results of this consultation have informed the drafting of a new single policy. Further to this Cabinet were advised that this new Adult Social Care Charging policy, subject to Cabinet approval will be implemented on 1^st April 2021.

Councillor Diana Butler addressed the Cabinet expressing concern with regards to some aspects of the questions within the consultation, and with some of the associated costs and charges for the provision of services. In relation to this the Portfolio Holder thanked Councillor Butler for her comments and in relation to this advised that most people who do attend a day centre don’t actually contribute to the cost of their care, and that it is a relatively small number who actually pay the full cost of their care and that is a cost to the council.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)          Approves the new Adult Social Care Charging Policy; and

(b)          Approves the mitigation measures as recommended by Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee which are set out in paragraphs 18 to 22 of the report.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Adults

To consider the proposed single charging policy and the recommendations of the Adult Social Care Charging Policy Working Group.

The Head of Adult Social Care presented the report and began by explaining the context of this piece of work. Members were reminded that there were three legacy charging policies for Adult Social Care across BCP and that the decision to harmonise these charges centred on the principles of equity for all residents and full cost recovery. The Head of Strategic Development & Change Management informed the Committee of the charging assessment process and how said process determines the charge a user will be required to pay towards their social care. Members were reassured that a proposed mitigation in the case of certain, extreme situations would be for the Head of Adult Services to wave the charges.

Members then head from the Principal Research Officer for Organisational Development on the outcome of the public consultation to which 3000 service users, carers and other stakeholders provided feedback.

The Lead Member of the Adult Social Care Charging Policy Working Group gave an update on the Group’s final meeting. Highlights from the meeting included questions on consultation responses, simplification of language, combination of transport charges and day centre charges, delays to implementation of policy and mitigating factors. The Committee heard that the Working Group provided test and challenge to the development of the policy and endorsed the recommendations of the officers.

The Committee considered the proposed single charging policy and the recommendations of the Adult Social Care Charging Policy Working Group before voting on the individual recommendations contained with the report.

RESOLVED that each of the recommendations, contained within the Officer’s report be approved. The recommendations are as follows:

(a) The findings of the consultation are noted and commented on.

(b) Committee recommend to Cabinet that the new Adult Social Care Charging policy is approved.

(c) Committee support the use of mitigation measures which assist clients when moving to new charging arrangements as set out in paragraphs 17 to 21 of the report.