(a).To consolidate existing charging policies and implement changes identified by the recent independent review of debt. These are local discretions within the Department of Health’s charging rules

(b).To consolidate existing charging policies and implement changes identified by the recent independent review of debt.  These are local discretions within the Department of Health’s CRAG charging rules

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Adult Social Services recommending a revised and consolidated fairer charging and fairer contributions policy.

The report indicated that each local authority with social services responsibilities must determine and operate a fairer charging and fairer contributions policy (FCP).  It had to keep the FCP under review. Each local authority with social services responsibilities must also determine and operate local discretions (CRAGLD) in implementing the Department of Health’s charging for residential accommodation guide (CRAG).

It was now necessary to review the Wirral FCP and CRAGLD following the settling of the 2013-14 Council Budget and the Independent Review of Debt (IRD) considered by Cabinet on 23 May 2013.  Maintaining and revising the FCP and CRAGLD was one of the key actions in the DASS debt action plan (DDAP).

The Care Bill if enacted would make substantial changes to the charging regime for care.  Any implications would be reflected in the policies in due course once full details were available including the implementation schedule.  It was expected that the first Care Bill charging charges would come into force in 2015-16.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the Fairer Contributions Policy (FPC) as set out in Appendix A of the report be approved;

(2)  the Fairer Contributions Policy (FPC) be implemented with immediate effect;

(3)  the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide Local Discretions (CRAGLD) as set out in Appendix B of the report be approved;

(4)  the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide Local Discretions (CRAGLD) be implemented with immediate effect.