Care charges move is deferred
Policy to be reviewed in wake of concerns
A Perthshire group which supports people with disabilities has described a council decision to defer the introduction of a policy which would have increased charges for vital care services as a “shot across the bows”.
Perth and Kinross Council’s executive sub-committee of strategic policy and resources agreed to push back changes to fees for non-residential social care on Monday.
It comes after concerns were expressed over the plan which would have seen anyone under the age of 65 who receives care at home and has an income of more than £134 per week asked to foot the rest of the bill for the services they receive from October 1.
The current benchmark is £204 per week, meaning vulnerable people would have been left with less money to fund living costs, as well as issues specific to their own needs such as disability-related adaptations to their homes.
The revised threshold is in line with a recommendation drawn up by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA), although is only used by less than a handful of councils in the country.
However, the paper considered by elected members advised of “risks and issues” associated with the proposal.
These included what was described as a “lack of clarity” regarding changes to national legislation such as Frank’s Law – which is set to see free personal care introduced for everyone who requires it, regardless of age, in April next year.
The paper also states: “It should also be noted that the council has been served with a writ for judicial review in respect of one particular client affected by the revised policy.
“The judicial review application raises a number of potential issues relating to equalities and human rights.
“The matter is complex and the challenges relate to both the policy itself and the process for determining it.”
A meeting on the matter organised by disability support charity Strathearn Building Bridges Inc was held in Crieff in July – which
Building Bridges members and supporters, with Gillian Edwards and Luke Graham MP following the recent meeting in Crieff
heard fears expressed over the price increase and a lack of consultation, among other issues.
Elected members’ decision to push back the potential implementation of the threshold change – in line with a recommendation contained within the report – was described as good news by group secretary Gillian Charleston.
She told the PA: “We’re very pleased it has gone this way but it has been a bit of a shot across the bows.
“We need to make sure as many people as possible are aware of the impact this could have – including parents, carers, people who receive care and councillors.
“We’ve had a number of people contacting us since this came to light saying how much stress this has been causing them.
“We’re not hanging out the bunting yet but this has made us realise the need to keep our profile high.”
Gillian Edwards, a manager with the Perth-based Centre For Inclusive Living in Perth and Kinross, said: “Hopefully there can now be more consultation so that the future changes can be implemented without as much worry and anxiety.’’
Councillor Murray Lyle, leader of the local authority, said: “Lots of people who have been in receipt of this benefit will be relieved by the announcement of this deferment.
“We are now aware of this issue and will be holding a wider review in April, 2019.”
Ochil and South Perthshire Tory MP Luke Graham added: “I would especially like to thank Building Bridges for arranging a meeting in Crieff to raise awareness of this issue.
“I’m so pleased to see the situation resolved for the foreseeable future and will continue to work closely with the council.”
A local authority spokesperson said: “... users of adult community care services who had previously been told that they were likely to see an increase in their contributions from October, 2018, will no longer be asked to pay more this year.”
The deferred change was initially approved as part of the council budget-setting process in 2016 and rubber-stamped following a public consultation and budget agreement in February this year.