This report provided Members with the outcome of the annual engagement exercise with the Local Community Care Market for fee rates paid to care providers for 2023/2024.

The service areas that the rates and fees cover are Residential and Nursing care, Supported Living, Extra Care, Care and Support at home, Direct Payments, Shared Lives and Specialist residential placements. The report also took in to account the National Fair Cost of Care Market sustainability exercise which requires the Council to undertake a cost of care exercise with its community care market. The result of the exercise has been shared with the Department of Health and Social care. Members were informed that the fair cost of care in subsequent years will be determined by the level of funding received each year.

Resolved – That the rates as set out in sections 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 of this report be approved and applied, with effect from 1 April 2023, to services commissioned by Wirral Council and jointly commissioned services between Wirral Council and NHS Cheshire and Mersey Integrated Care Board (Wirral Place), in relation to Residential and Nursing Care, Supported Living, Extra Care, Care and Support at Home, Direct Payments and Shared Lives.