Received a report reviewing the level of charging for Social Care Services for 2005 /2006. The report also recommended a proposed increase to benchmark prices for residential care placements.
Agreed, in accordance with the ‘Fairer Charging’ Statutory Guidance and the National Assistance Act 1948, to:
1. Increase current charges by an average of 2.75% for the level and range of non-residential home care charging as set out in paragraph 4.2 and 4.3 of the report;
2. Endorse Supporting People Charging as outlined in paragraph 6.2 and 6.3 of the report;
3. Increase the level of charge for Welfare Meals to £2.05 per meal, as set out in paragraph 8.4 of the report;
4. To apply the Residential and Day Care charges for other Local Authorities (and full payers) together with benchmark prices alluded to in paragraphs 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 of the report; and
5. Increase the level of charges for Nursery Places to working parents by £5 per week (3.5% increase) as detailed in paragraph 9 of the report.
Changes resulting from the above will take effect from 11 April 2005 (the date at which state benefits are increased), with the exception of Nurseries to take effect from 1 May 2005.