To report the outcome of consultation with independent residential and nursing home providers regarding the fees option proposals as agreed by Cabinet on 18 October 2012.

A report by the Director of Adult Social Services set out the outcome of a renewed consultation with care home providers as agreed by the Cabinet at its meeting on 20 December 2012 (Minute No. 150 refers) and recommended a final proposal for 2012-13. 

The Cabinet was asked to approve the final proposal as detailed below and note that the additional cost was estimated at £1,058,000 in a full year.

The Director of Adult Social Services introduced his report informing that Wirral care homes were a mix of purpose built homes and adapted large private houses.  The Council’s strategy for 2012/13 was to set fees that maintain capacity.  It was not necessary to increase provision.  In the medium term it was planned to use less care home places.  Instead people would be helped to remain in the community.  Care home fees were set with due regard to providers’ actual costs.  The Council’s duty to achieve best value was a factor.

The final proposal was calculated by the Efficient Wirral Care Home model. The model aimed to make due allowance for actual costs and market returns.  The model was intended to calculate a fair and reasonable weekly rate for the four different categories of care home placement.

Lawson Stebbings, Director of the Wirral Care Home Association Limited was in attendance at the meeting and was invited to address the Cabinet.  Mr Stebbings highlighted issues he wished the Cabinet to consider before making its decision on the model that would be used to calculate weekly rates for the different categories of Care Home placements.  He specifically reminded the Cabinet that under section 21 of the National Assistance Act 1948 local authorities had a duty to support those who had a local connection with their area who were in need of accommodation and services by reason of age, disability or some other substantial reason.  Mr Stebbings told the Cabinet that regard must be had to the actual cost of providing care and the Council having a funding short fall was not a good enough reason not to set fees in accordance with the care package received.

Councillor P Davies thanked Mr Stebbings for his contribution to the meeting and informed that he considered the proposal to be reasonable and fair, following a comprehensive consultation exercise during which Members had read and listened to the views of the Care Home Association.

RESOLVED:

That the implementation of the final proposal as set out above be agreed.