Decision details

The Group Director, Community & Children’s Services provided Members with an overview of his report which presented feedback from a consultation about proposed changes to the Council’s charging policy for non-residential adult social care concerning disability related expenditure.  The Group Director also referenced the amendments made by Welsh Government to the maximum charge local authorities can make for non-residential adult social care effective from 9th April 2018.

Members were advised that if the proposal to withdraw the additional discretionary disregard was implemented it would deliver between £0.070M and £0.100M savings per annum as part of the Council Medium Term Financial plan.  However, the Group Director added that consultation confirmed the potential impact on the disabled and older if the proposals were taken forward. . In summary the proposal were felt to negatively impact on the recipients of care financially in terms of disability related expenditure and in terms of quality of life.

The Cabinet Member, Adult Community Services & Welsh Language commented on the consultation feedback and the negative impact such a decision would make on vulnerable residents of the County Borough and welcomed the proposal not to change the level of additional discretionary disregard currently applied to disability related expenditure.

The Leader of the Council also commented on the report and added that although there was the potential for savings to be made, the impact on the residents would be much greater than the savings available.  In respect of the Welsh Government amendments the Leader added that Rhondda Cynon Taf were the only Authority to have delayed implementation.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    That there be no change to the level of additional discretionary disregard currently applied to disability related expenditure;

2.    To note the amendments made by Welsh Government to the maximum charge local authorities can make for non-residential adult social care - this increased from £70 to £80 per week from April 2018. This will be implemented with effect from 1^st October 2018 (see paragraph 6 of the report) rather than April 2018 to avoid imposing two increases in a six month period.