Decision details

Proposal to introduce new charges for adults who pay the full cost of non-residential care arranged on their behalf by East Sussex County Council

Decision Maker: Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To consider the outcome of the public consultation on the proposed implementation of 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 set up care on their behalf. The proposed fees would offset set-up costs and invoicing charges that the Council incurs when setting up this care.

 

Decisions:

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

DECISIONS

11.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

1) Note the outcome of the consultation, Equality Impact Assessment and feedback from staff engagement; and

2) Approve the implementation of proposed new charges for adults who pay the full cost of non-residential care arranged on their behalf by East Sussex County Council.

REASONS

11.3    The proposed charges offer an opportunity for East Sussex County Council to recover costs incurred from setting up non-residential care on behalf of adults who pay the full cost of their care. If applied as proposed, it is projected that they could recover up to £100,000 annually.

11.4    The Council has considered wider feedback to implement changes, such as adapting future communications and incorporating an exemption step within the planned process.

11.5     This will support cost recovery. The power to charge has a statutory basis and is line with the practice of many other local authorities, including other upper-tier authorities in Sussex. The Equality Impact Assessment has concluded that introducing the charges will not disproportionately affect any resident on the basis of their protected characteristics.

 

Report author: Ben Baker

Publication date: 28/11/2025

Date of decision: 28/11/2025

Decided at meeting: 28/11/2025 - Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health

Effective from: 05/12/2025

Accompanying Documents: