Purpose

To approve fees and annual uplift level for
2026/2027

Decision

Approval has been given for the proposed fees
for Residential Nursing, Home Based Support, Supported Living,
Community Based Services and Direct Payment Personal Assistant
rates for 2026/27.

Reasons for the decision

Contractually the Council has a commitment to
review fee levels on an annual basis. The Council has always had an
obligation to take account of the market pressures and to seek
views from providers on fee levels, but from April 2015 new
statutory responsibilities under the Care Act 2014 require the
Council to shape and sustain its markets.

The detailed reasons for the recommendations are set out in details
in the report. The proposal ensures that, where appropriate, rates
paid to providers will take account of cost of living
increases.

Alternative options considered

A number of alternative options were
considered including paying a flat rate to all providers. However,
the proposal presented in the report meets the objectives set out,
including prioritising the lowest paid contracts and working within
the current contract, while being able to allocate funding to
support the additional cost of sickness.