Cabinet approves proposal to consult on changes to Adult Social Care Fees

Proposals to make adult social care fees and charges fairer are moving forward.  

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet approved the principle of introducing a new Adult Social Care Charging Policy subject to a Borough-wide public consultation at its meeting yesterday, Thursday 14 May.  

The Cabinet heard proposals for how the Council may charge for care and support, ensuring charges are fair, transparent and based on a financial assessment.  

A consultation will be carried out in coming months to ask residents for their views on introducing fees for services such as deferred payment agreements, which allows a person to delay paying some or all the costs of their long-term care, and the management of deceased estates.  

The Council will also seek views on proposals to introduce fees for the Council's appointeeship service which is provided to individuals who are unable to manage their own financial affairs and where there is no suitable family member or other appropriate person able to act on their behalf.  

The proposals aim to ensure people with social care needs are not charged more than they can afford, that charging is applied consistently and that the costs of administering specialised financial services are shared fairly, in line with other local authorities.  

Councillor Pauline Beall, the Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: "Adult social care remains one of our key priorities, and it's important that our approach to charging is fair, equal and consistent to everyone living within the Borough.  

"Our council is one of the last local authorities in the region which does not currently charge for some specialist financial management services. We have looked at this issue to ensure these services can continue to be delivered in a sustainable way despite increasing demand as well as making sure that they are in line with similar arrangements already in place.  

"Before any changes are proposed, we want to hear people's views so that we can take them into account as part of the decision-making process. We will be asking people to share their thoughts through an online survey. Accessible formats of the consultation will be available and there will be in person events to support people to have their say."