Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area:

1.1. To agree that the formal response to the Consultation on the Green paper "The case for change - why England needs a new care and support system" is made through the report of the Personalisation Commission.

2) Issues Covered in Report:

2.1. Explanation as to why the Green paper was issued and key areas covered within the paper specifically around future funding for social care.

2.2. The role of the Council's Personalisation Commission and an explanation as to why the Council's response to the Consultation on the Green Paper should be integrated into the Report by the Personalisation Commission.

3) Recommendations:

3.1 Cabinet is asked to approve that the formal response to the consultation on the Green Paper "The case for change - why England needs a new care and support system" is made through the report of the Personalisation Commission.

MAIN REPORT

1) Purpose of the Report:

1.1. In May 2008 the Government issued "The case for change - why England needs a new care and support system" as a formal consultation on the future funding options for adult social care. The consultation ends on 28 November 2008.

1.2. In April 2008 the Leader of the County Council established the Commission of Inquiry, Personalisation Commission which is composed of local elected members from all parties and experts from a variety of external organisations and interests, including community stakeholders, academia and national organisations.

1.3. A significant element of the work of the Personalisation Commission is concerned with the funding of social care in the future and it is proposed that Hampshire's formal response to the consultation is made as part of the final report of the Personalisation Commission.

1.4. This report is to seek the approval of Cabinet to Hampshire's formal response to "The case for change - why England needs a new care and support system" being made in the report of the Personalisation Commission which will be published on 27 November 2008.

2) Contextual Information:

2.1 The future funding arrangement for adult social care is a fundamental concern to central government, to the County Council and the public at large.

2.2 There has been growing concern that the adult care system is failing people in need, their families and their carers. Despite local councils spending more money on services, demographic changes, changes in health care and changes in user expectations have meant that demand exceeds resources and fewer people are able to obtain state-funded social care. As a result, more people are having to try to find and pay for their own care. However, there remains a perception that there is no incentive to plan and save for old age as those who have done so find themselves paying for care whilst others who have not saved have obtained care for free.

2.3 Older people want 'low-level' packages, which could delay the need for more intensive and costly interventions at a later date, but help around the home is too expensive for many people on modest incomes to be able to pay for it from their private resources alone. People who are not eligible for council-arranged services and cannot afford to purchase their care privately are often left struggling with fragile informal support arrangements and a poor quality of life.

2.4 Two major independent reviews published in 2006, Securing Good Care for Older People and Paying for Long Term Care: Moving forward, concluded that the current funding system was unsustainable. By 2025 20% of the population will be over 65. By 2036 the number of people over 85 will have increased by 180%. Projections suggest that an increase in life expectancy will result in more people living for longer in ill health.

2.5 The numbers of people aged 50 and over with learning disabilities are projected to rise by 53% between 2001 and 2021. This means demand for support across the continuum of need will increase. Local authorities are expected to meet the requirements for further efficiencies and continued outcome and performance improvement.

2.6 Spending on adult social care would need to double in real terms over the next 20 years just to keep pace with the growing number of older people and the rising costs of care provision. Unless more money is found to pay for social care, personalisation of care will be of benefit to only the small and decreasing proportion of people who are in need that meet increasingly restricted eligibility criteria.

3) Key Issues:

3.1 Consideration of funding is an integral component of the work of the Personalisation Commission. Hampshire is leading the way in its consideration of the personalisation agenda for the future and the commission's report can be expected to have significant national impact and interest as well as provide a model for the delivery of social care into the future in Hampshire.

3.2 The impact of the Commission's report might be lessened if the response to the Consultation on the Green Paper is issued separately from the rest of the report and it is therefore proposed that the Council's formal response is contained within the overall report.

3.3 If Hampshire wants to make any more specific comments than contained in the Commission's report these will be added to the Consultation submission.

3.4 The Personalisation Commission report will be presented to Cabinet in December and will include the response to the Consultation on the Green Paper as an appendix to this report.

4) Outline of Options:

4.1. Option 1:

a) To delegate responsibility to the Leader, three other Cabinet members and Councillors Kelly and Dowden, who are all Personalisation Commission members, to agree the Council's response as part of their responsibilities as Commissioners.

4.2. Option 2:

a) To separate the Green Paper finance response from the rest of the report and submit through Cabinet on 24 November

5) Option Analysis / Comparison:

5.1. Option 1 will ensure the coherence and integrity of the Commission's report while ensuring that the Council's responsibility is discharged. The Hampshire response can be edited to ensure local issues as well as national concerns are addressed

5.2. Option 2 will weaken both the formal consultation response and the report of the Commission by separating their publication.

6) Conclusions:

6.1. The report of the Personalisation Commission is expected to have a national profile. It is currently commanding a degree of interest from national politicians of the major parties.

6.2. Proceeding in this way will give the best opportunity for the Commission report to have maximum impact when it is published, and will also ensure that Hampshire's final consultation response has been properly authorised through Cabinet.

7) Summary Recommendations:

7.1. Cabinet is asked to approve that the formal response to the Consultation on the Green Paper "The case for change - why England needs a new care and support system" is made through the report of the Personalisation Commission

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION: