Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Care attached.

Councillor T Tariq, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing presented the report which detailed the fee engagement process including timelines and proposed recommendations for the standard fee proposal to contracted providers of adult social care services for the period 2025/26. 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.

In response to a members question regarding the changes to National Insurance contributions for Employers, members were informed that the impact is 1.5% which equates to £1.68 million pounds, members were assured that Bury Council is ensuring care providers employed by Bury Council are not place under any further financial stress.

Decision:

Cabinet:

·         Noted the outcome of the fee engagement process detailed below.

·         Approved the uplifted 2025/2026 Hourly Fee Rate, with effect from 1st April 2025.

Reasons for recommendations:

·         The Council is required to carry out a provider fee engagement process and has done so for year 25/26. 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:

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