Agenda item

A report from the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing is attached.

Councillor Andrea Simpson, the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, presented the report which outlined the details, findings, and recommendations of the public consultation regarding the council’s arm’s length provider Persona Care and Support Limited.

Members discussed the report in the context of social care as a national issue and lack of central government funding. In response to questions, it was noted financial and legal details surrounding the covenant on Spurr House could be circulated outside the meeting.

Decision:

That Cabinet approve the following proposals:

·         Proposal 1 – day care

Reduce the number of unused places in the day care service. Close Pinfold Lane Centre and relocate the dementia day service to a designated area at Grundy.

·         Proposal 2 – short stay/ respite

Reduce the number of unused places in the short stay service, closing Spurr House leaving Elmhurst open for short stay care.

·         Proposal 3 – all age disability services

Further explore a multigenerational disability assessment and care management service and if co-production indicates bring forward an options paper.

Reasons for the decision:

Due to the significant financial challenge facing the Local Authority, Adult Social Care has proposed savings schemes totalling £12.4million. Understandably as a large proportion of the Adult Social Care budget is spent on our arm’s length provider Persona Care and Support Limited, this contract must be reviewed and reduced to help achieve the savings. The current savings requirement for Persona Care and Support Limited is £2.5m over the next two financial years.

Other options considered and rejected:

Alternative savings proposals submitted would not deliver the amount of savings required and would not ensure the council did not continue to pay for capacity within a block contract that was not needed or used.