Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health.

This report outlines the commissioning proposals and 2021/22 fee setting for the most significant areas of externally commissioned service provision for adults with care needs: Care Homes in Stockport; Home Support to enable people to live in their homes for longer; Day Care Services and Learning Disability Services. This report also considers the impact and pressures the Covid 19 pandemic has placed upon the care sector.

The report is designed to be considered in the context of budget setting proposals and is intended to clarify the fee changes position for 2020/21 to allow for early implementation at the start of the financial year. This will provide financial certainty to the market and support care providers with their cash flow. It will also prevent internal inefficiency caused by the need to make back payments as well as conforming to good commissioning and procurement practices.

The Cabinet is recommended to endorse and agree the approach set out in this paper and to give approval to the proposed fee uplifts.

Officer Contact: Vincent Fraga on 0161 474 4401 or email: vincent.fraga@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care & Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to consider the 2021/22 fee setting recommendations for the most significant areas of externally commissioned services within Adult Social Care.

RESOLVED – That the Annual Residential / Nursing and Home Care Fee setting approach, including fee uplifts as set out in the report, be approved.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer) & Interim Director Health and Adult Social Care (DASS).

The report outlines the 2021/22 fee setting recommendations for the most significant areas of externally commissioned services within Adult Social Care.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to provide comment on the approach and proposed fee increases for 2021/22.

Officer contact: Vincent Fraga, 0161-474-4401, vincent.fraga@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer) & Director for Adult Social Care submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the 2021/22 fee setting recommendations for the most significant areas of externally commissioned services within Adult Social Care.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health (Councillor Jude Wells) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.     

The following comments were made/issues raised:- 

·         The Committee expressed its thanks to the care home staff and the entire framework of Council staff for the last 12 months.

·         Members enquired about the ongoing issues with recruitment and staff referred to in the report. In response, it was stated that over the last 11 months it has been stable with good retention levels but the challenges will continue throughout the pandemic, however, ongoing work was underway with colleagues across Greater Manchester and ‘skills for care’ regarding recruitment and job retention.

·         Clarification was sought regarding the external market for care and support and the total uplift of £2.7m with regards to the budget. In response, it was noted that the external market referenced how the Council compared services that it provided e.g. contractual or the framework around council business. The £2.7m has been factored into the financial pressures which is additional investment into adult social care.

·         Regarding the uplifts, could reassurance be provided that it would not impact the service users and if it was, would there be help. In response, it was commented that regarding any fees or charges to service users it would always be means tested with often a nil charge to service users.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.