Agenda item

To consider an update report of the Executive Director Core Services and the Executive Director People (Item 6 attached) in respect of Barnsley’s Financial Contributions Policy for Adult Social Care

The Committee considered a report which provided information in relation to recent changes to the Council’s Financial Contributions Policy (previously known as the Fairer Charging Policy) for Adult Social Care Services. Members asked questions regarding the report and the following issues were raised:

·      Although the exact cost of the maximum brokerage fee for people not eligible for financial support was not available at the meeting, it was thought to be in the region of £120 for the standard service or £200 for the complex service. The exact cost could be provided to Members following the meeting. This fee allowed for a support broker to work with the individual in question to arrange a provider, arrange a personal care plan, review their care plan and deal with any queries.

·      The removal of the cap had previously been estimated to affect c.95 service users, but was now thought to affect c.135 service users. It was explained that this was solely due to the changing circumstances of service users, rather than any change in the application of the policy which had previously been discussed by the Committee. The Committee was informed that the efficiency saving target of £400k had been achieved and the new policy was fairer than the former policy.

·      The research project with Disability Information Advice Line (DIAL) to evaluate the impact of budget reductions and service redesign on disabled people in Barnsley was still ongoing. The project would also evaluate the extent to which the impact could have been predicted.

RESOLVED – That:

i)             the witnesses be thanked for their attendance;

ii)            the report be noted; and

iii)           the Committee be provided with further information regarding the maximum brokerage fees.

At the conclusion of this item, the Chair noted that this was John Winter’s last meeting as a Co-opted Member of the Committee. The Chair extended the Committee’s thanks to Mr Winter for his work with the Committee.