Issue - decisions

56.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health.

56.2     It was RESOLVED to:

1) Agree to continue to provide day services at Milton Grange, in Eastbourne, for older people with a range of physical and mental health needs associated with dementia;

2) Agree that the service provision at Milton Grange Day Service in Eastbourne be remodelled as set out in paragraph 5.8 of the report; and

3) Delegate to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health authority to take all necessary actions to give effect to the above resolutions.

Reasons

56.3     The Council is required to set a balanced budget. The ‘State of the County’ report presented to Cabinet in June 2024 set out a projected £55m deficit on the 2025/26 budget. Savings proposals requiring public consultation that would help to close this gap were presented to Cabinet in September 2024.

56.4     The total savings proposals for the Medium-Term Financial Plan for 2025/26-2027/28 set out in November 2024 were £20.628m, across all Council departments. The Adult Social Care and Health (ASCH) contribution to the savings total is £11.455m. In addition to these savings proposals, in order to achieve a balanced budget, the Council is also drawing on its financial reserves.

56.5     The original proposals put forward by ASCH were designed to contribute to the savings required by the County Council. It is clear from the feedback highlighted in the consultation that most respondents disagree with the original proposals to close Milton Grange and to support people to access alternative service in the community.

56.6     The feedback received has been considered and officers have been able to produce an alternative proposal that maintains day services at Milton Grange in Eastbourne and which still achieves the same level of savings.

56.7     The re-modelled service will operate five days per week instead of six, which will deliver savings of £203,000.

56.8     Cabinet members have read and had regard to the Equalities Impact Assessment when making decisions related to this proposal.