Purpose

The Executive Member for
Finance and Governance submitted a report for Executive consideration.

 

Following a review of the
policy, some amendments had been necessary to reflect and update in policy and
legislation and to respond to some inconsistencies and presentational issues.
The minor amendments required in the updated policy would result in no changes
to the threshold to services and support.

 

Central Government provided
Local Authorities with Statutory Guidance issued under the Care Act 2014 in
respect of a single legal framework for charging for care and support under
sections 14 and 17. The Act was supported by the Care and Support (Charging and
Assessment of Resources) Regulations 2014 which Local Authorities needed to
follow when charging individuals for their care and support needs.

 

The minor amendments to the
policy would ensure that the current process for charging was transparent and
consistent. The policy would continue with the principle that residents should
only be required to pay what they could afford and in turn, be entitled to
financial support through a means tested financial assessment. The policy now
provided for timescales to which assessment should be considered.

Decision

ORDERED that Executive:

 

1.   
That Executive approve delegated
authority to the Director of Finance to make future minor
revisions/modifications to the policy to provide clarity and reflect
alterations in legislation during the period to the next 3
year review.

2.   
Consider the proposals as set out below
and approve the updated Non-Residential Charging Policy:

3.   
Approves an update to the appeals
processes which provided further clarity.

4.   
Approves an insertion around the lower
hourly contracted rate of care and signposted service users to the council’s
web site.

5.   
Approved the introduction of average
response rate for processing assessments.

6.   
Approved the removal of a home visit
offering where online solutions could be provided effectively.

7.   
Approved an update of the language to
ensure that the policy met the current statutory and legal requirements as set
out in the Care and Support (charging and assessment of resources) Regulations
2014.