Issue - meetings

Received a report from the Corporate Director of Adult and Community Services on the Government’s recently published Green Paper “Shaping the Future of Care Together” which sets out its vision for a National Care Service, the options for reform and how a new system could be organised and paid for.

The Green Paper represents the first ever national debate on the reform of adult care and support in England.  The proposals have significant potential implications for the future funding of social care and benefits as well and how the resourcing of social care is managed, including the control of a local authority over its budget. 

The Corporate Director commented that whilst the debate on care and support and the elements of the National Care Service is very much welcomed, there is a consensus that none of the outline funding options present an acceptable solution to finding the necessary financial contributions for the new system.  Furthermore, there is a concern that many of our local residents could be significantly disadvantaged under any new funding arrangements and, with this in mind, it is essential that the Government issues the draft charging regulations as soon as possible in order for full and proper consideration to be given to the overall proposals. 

Agreed, in order to help inform any subsequent legislation, that the Council’s response to the Green Paper as proposed in section 2 of the report be submitted to the Department of Health.