Issue - meetings

Ahead of a Key Decision, inform Formal Shadow Executive of the options and the recommendation for fee increases in 2020-21 for the providers of adult care and support services.

RESOLVED:

·         That option 2 be adopted: Uplift of up to 2% based on evidence of increased cost.  Contractually required uplifts awarded to Heritage and Freemantle block contracts.

·         Utilisation of the following monies to meet fee uplift costs:

o   £1,142,000 earmarked for fee uplifts from the £9.5m demand growth monies

o   Up to £750,000 from the corporate contingency budget set aside to fund increases in the NLW

o   The balance from the additional £1m released to Adult Social Care from contingencies as part of the final approved budget.

M Tett advised that that the item had a public and private report to consider and the meeting would move into a private session and would then provide a summary of the recommendations in public, once the private discussions had concluded.

A Macpherson introduced the report that set out the options and proposals for fee increases to care market providers in 2020-21.  It was highlighted that there was ongoing significant pressures on Adult Social Care (ASC) budgets due to the need to provide quality care while under considerable staff pressure, increasing costs, national living wages and cost of properties, all having an impact.

The aim was to work closely in partnership with providers and carefully consider all options.  There would be an increase of up to 2% and would be assessed on a case by case basis.  It was stated there was a budget of up to £3m to accommodate the recommendations and providers would need to submit a robust business case.

It was also highlighted that costs had risen across the service due to the number of those being looked after had risen but also needs had become more complex.

RESOLVED:

·         That option 2 is adopted: Uplift of up to 2% based on evidence of increased cost. Contractually required uplifts awarded to Heritage and Freemantle block contracts.

·         Utilisation of the following monies to meet fee uplift costs:

o   £1,142,000 earmarked for fee uplifts from the £9.5m demand growth monies.

o   Up to £750,000 from the corporate contingency budget set aside to fund increases in the NLW.

The balance from the additional £1m released to Adult Social Care from contingencies as part of the final approved budget.