Issue - meetings

Care and Support Provider Fee Review 2021-2022

Meeting: 17/03/2021 - Cabinet (Resources) Panel (Item 10)

10 Care and Support Provider Fee Review 2021-2022 pdf icon PDF 454 KB

[To approve a proposed increase for the Care and Support service areas and Direct Payment cost rate]

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the proposed increase in fee levels for 2021-2022 as recommended in the report to meet the additional costs (employee and employer) resulting from the increases to the National Living Wage (NLW) and where applicable increases to sustain the care market be approved.

 

2.      That any increase in fees are in effect from 5 April 2021. (This date is aligned to charging processes and the capability of the payment system).

 

3.      That it be noted that engagement has been undertaken with current care and support providers as part of the fee review to listen to feedback, however due to current financial restraints the recommendations are not solely based on provider requests.

 

4.      That it be noted that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the usual demand and take up of care services. The long-term impact of Covid-19 cannot be predicted, and the Adults Commissioning Team would continuously review sufficiency within the market.

 

5.      That it be noted that the Adults Commissioning Team continuously works with providers in developing the social care market to ensure a shared approach between the Council and social care providers to meet resident’s needs.

 

6.      That it be noted that the Adults and Safer City Scrutiny Panel endorsed the proposed recommendations in its 8 March 2021 meeting.


 

Minutes:

The intention to make a key decision on the report ‘Care and Support Provider Fee Review 2021-2022’ at the meeting was not publicised in advance as required by the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.  The decision was urgent and could not be reasonably delayed for the following reasons:

 

·       The report is to approve recommendations to the annual fees of adults social care providers.

 

·       The external care sector has supported City of Wolverhampton Council during the Covid-19 pandemic in meeting the care needs of residents in Wolverhampton and supported the ability to discharge people from hospital and reducing the burden to the local hospital.

 

·       The fee reviews are effective from the start of the financial year. Providers would not be aware of the proposed increased if there is a delay to the next available Cabinet (Resources) Panel (CRP) and we cannot publish the rates or organise any increase in payments until CRP give approval to the recommendations.

 

·       The reason it had been delayed was an unintentional officer oversight.

 

In light of the above, consent had been obtained for the key decision to be made at the meeting under the General Exception provisions.

 

Councillor Linda Leach presented the report on a proposed increase in fee levels for care and support service areas and direct payment cost rates to meet additional costs resulting from increases to the National Living Wage and to sustain the care market in Wolverhampton.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the proposed increase in fee levels for 2021-2022 as recommended in the report to meet the additional costs (employee and employer) resulting from the increases to the National Living Wage (NLW) and where applicable increases to sustain the care market be approved.

 

2.    That any increase in fees are in effect from 5 April 2021. (This date is aligned to charging processes and the capability of the payment system).

 

3.    That it be noted that engagement has been undertaken with current care and support providers as part of the fee review to listen to feedback, however due to current financial restraints the recommendations are not solely based on provider requests.

 

4.    That it be noted that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the usual demand and take up of care services. The long-term impact of Covid-19 cannot be predicted, and the Adults Commissioning Team would continuously review sufficiency within the market.

 

5.    That it be noted that the Adults Commissioning Team continuously works with providers in developing the social care market to ensure a shared approach between the Council and social care providers to meet resident’s needs.

 

6.    That it be noted that the Adults and Safer City Scrutiny Panel endorsed the proposed recommendations in its 8 March 2021 meeting.