Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health and the Corporate Director of Social Care, Health and Wellbeing, and to consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member on the proposed decision to approve the proposed changes to the rates payable and charges levied, as set out in the report.

Miss M Goldsmith, Directorate Business Partner, was in attendance for this item.

1.         Miss Goldsmith introduced the report and explained that the review of rates and charges was undertaken annually.  On this occasion, most rates and charges had been maintained at the 2015/16 level, the one exception being the charges made to other local authorities for assessments for clients placed within Kent. 

2.         Miss Goldsmith advised the committee that one area of information – the personal expenses allowance – could not yet be set as the rates had yet to be published by the Department of Health. This rate was not something over which the County Council had any discretion or control, but the rate, when published, would have an impact on the Council’s financial assessment process.

3.         In response to a question about what constituted a meal, charged at £3.90, Mrs Tidmarsh clarified that this would normally be a hot main meal of two courses.  However, this may vary from area to area, depending on the local provider.

4.     RESOLVED that the decision proposed to be taken by the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health:

a)    to approve that:

i. the client contributions for residential care for older people remain  at £463.07;

ii.the client contributions for residential care for people with learning

       difficulties remain at £631.26;

       iii.the Wellbeing Charge - Better Homes Active Lives scheme for older people remain at £15.00;

 iv. the Wellbeing Charge - Better Homes Active Lives scheme for people with learning difficulties remain at £44.92;

       v. the notional charges for Day Care remain at:

                Learning Disability – Day Centre £37.64

                Learning Disability – Day Centre half day £18.82

                Older People – Day Centre £29.99

                Older People – Day Centre half day £15.00

                Physical Disability – Day Centre £35.80

                Physical Disability – Day Centre half day £17.90

                Older People with Mental Health Needs – Day Centre £35.45;

vi. the client contributions for Meals Charges remain at:

               Meal Charge £3.90

               Meals and other snacks £4.90

               Refreshments flat rate charge £1.00; and

                    vii. for Local Authority Charges for Adult services: Assessment hourly rate to increase to £68.76 per hour.

            b) to note:

                        i.  the recommendation to continue the £10 charge for blue badge

                        ii. the continuation of the current mileage rate paid to Voluntary Drivers

                        iii. the rates for consultancy work and key publications; and

                             c) to delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Social Care, Health and  Wellbeing, or other nominated officer, to undertake the necessary actions to implement the decision,

            be endorsed.