Decision details

Adult Social Care is proposing to implement admin fees for adults who fully fund their care. This would apply to adults who have been financially assessed as having sufficient capital to be able to pay for their care themselves, under section 17 of the Care Act, and have requested that ESCC broker this care on their behalf. The proposed fees would offset set-up costs and invoicing charges that the Council incurs when setting up this care, as per section 14 of the Care Act. Local Authorities have the power to “apply an administration to cover its costs” in this way under Section 8.15 of the Care and Support Statutory guidance (CASS). Charges of this type are used by many other Local Authorities. The proposal is one of a number that the department is exploring to help close the Council’s funding gap. The Lead member will be asked to decide whether this work can proceed to a public consultation.

35.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health.

DECISION

35.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to agree to proceed with a public consultation on the proposal to introduce administrative fees for adults who fully fund non-residential care and support arranged by East Sussex County Council.

REASONS

35.3     The consultation will ensure adults who could be impacted by these proposals can have their views heard and that the final plans are informed by this feedback. The consultation is expected to take place from May to July 2025.