Decision details

RESOLVED: That Cabinet

a)    Agreed to the Council consulting with the public for 28 days in respect of the new Self-funder Arrangement Fee. Feedback obtained from the consultation period will be provided to cabinet for decision making in February 2023.

b)    Acknowledged the changes required to the Fees and Charges Policy because of social care reform and the impact these reforms will have to the Council and the residents of West Northamptonshire.

c)    Noted the utilisation of the 2022/23 DHSC Fair Cost of Care and Market Sustainability fund.

REASONS RESOLVED:

1)    To enable West Northamptonshire Council to meet the changes as stated in the Governments Social Care reforms and the statutory requirements originally set out in the Care Act 2014, by the 1st October 2023.

2)    To engage with the public on a 28-day consultation period, which will allow the Council to generate people’s awareness of the imminent changes to social care and gather feedback to allow Cabinet to make an informed decision regarding the introduction of the Self-Funder Arrangement Fee.

3)    To be consistent with previous proposed changes to the Fees and Charges Policy and additional charges being asked of the residents of West Northamptonshire Council.

4)    To provide awareness to Cabinet relating to the utilisation of the DHSC Fair Cost of Care and Market Sustainability grant.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

Option 1 (recommended) – Agree to a public consultation which will enable the Council to meet the changes as stated in the governments Social Care reforms and advise on the Self-Funder Arrangement Fee. This approach would be consistent with previous proposed changes to the Fees & Charges Policy.

Option 2 (Not recommended) – Do nothing and continue not to charge for arranging care on behalf of a self-funder. However, given the expected increase in demand, additional Council funding will be required so that situations where people are left with no support are mitigated.