AT A MEETING of the ADULT SOCIAL CARE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle Winchester on Wednesday, 24 May 2006

PRESENT

Chairman:

p Councillor R.C. McIntosh

Vice-Chairman

p Councillor E.F. Gale, MBE

Councillors:

Also in attendance Councillor Mrs P.G. Banks (Executive Member for Adult Social Care)

58. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate declare their interest, and having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

No declarations of interest were made.

59. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported that this meeting had been convened following a Call-In being received from:

Councillors:
Mrs. C. Bailey

A.G. Dowden

R. Hughes

A.R. Ludlow
Mrs. A. Rolling

in respect of a decision having been made by the Executive Member for Adult Social Care on the Charging Policy for Non-Residential Services on 12 May, 2006.

The Call-In had been received on 15 May and as it was within 7 days of the notice of the decision being issued and made by more than a quorum of the Committee (4) arrangements were made by the Chief Executive for this meeting to be held within the requisite 14 days required.

He said that he proposed, first, to deal with any questions of clarification then proceed direct to debate.

60. MEMBERS' QUESTIONS

There were no Members' questions to this meeting.

61. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations to this meeting.

62. CHARGING POLICY FOR NON-RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

Consideration was given to the decision of the Executive Member for Adult Social Care on proposals for changes to the policy for charging for non-residential services for adults. The report of the Director of Adult Services to the Executive Member (Item 5 in the Minute Book) was considered. Following a question on clarification the Director of Adult Services explained the statement in the report that the 51% of service users thought it acceptable that capital should be taken into account when assessment was being made for services. Councillor Dowden said that he had initiated the call-in as there had been no opportunity for the Policy Review Committee to consider and make recommendations to the Executive Member prior to her decision. All agreed that for legal reasons there was no alternative to the decision to close Direct Payments Option A to new applicants with immediate effect and to existing recipients as financial assessments were carried out. Concern was, however, raised at the level of capital thresholds and proportion of disposable income that was to be taken into account for charging purposes. Councillor Ludlow proposed that it be a recommendation to the Executive Member that the capital threshold above which service users would be expected to bear the full cost of their care be increased from £21,000 to £30,000 and that the proportion of disposable income taken into account for charging purposes be increased from the existing 75% to 85% rising to 90% with a period to assess the effect before implementation. This proposal was seconded by Councillor Dowden. The proposal was put to a vote and lost. The Chairman then proposed that Members accept the Executive Member's decision and this was carried.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee concur with the Executive Member for Adult Services' decision on Charging for Non-Residential Services made on 12 May 2006.

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