Decision details

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Health and Public Service Reform presented a report regarding the engagement process and outcomes for the standard fee proposal to contracted providers of adult social care services for the period 2026/27. For each provider sector, the Council has uplifted the staffing element of the fee by 5% in line with the increase in the Real Living Wage and 6.73% for those paying the National Living Wage. The percentage impact of the changes to National Insurance contributions for Employers has also been included in the uplift, and uplifts are also included on non-staffing costs to support providers with other cost pressures advised by providers in the engagement process.

Decision:

Cabinet noted the outcome of the fee engagement process and approved the uplifted 2026/2027 Hourly Fee Rate, with effect from 1st April 2026, as set out in the report.

Reasons for the decision:

The Council is required to carry out a provider fee engagement process and has done so for year 26/27. The uplifts are within budget and look to drive the provider market to meet needs now and going forward, while ensuring provider sustainability in light of current pressures. The recommended fee rates also support providers to pay their staff the Real Living Wage and continue the move towards the Cost of Care.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

Alternatives were not considered as we are required to issue fee uplifts within allocated budget.