Officer Decisions
Joint Associate Director of Commissioning - Tim Golby
Annual uplift to fees paid in respect of care home placements.
To award an increase of between 5.9% and 6.5% on all banded fees as follows:
| Standard | Enhanced | Standard + nursing | Enhanced + nursing |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ per resident per week | £ per resident per week | £ per resident per week | £ per resident per week |
| £468.00 | £500.00 | £615.00 | £640.00 |
To award an increase of 4.3% to non-banded fees.
To leave market premia and any third party top up unchanged.
The Council must review fees annually to comply with legislation.
In 2015 the Council committed to a formula for inflation, recalculated each Autumn and, for banded fees to include an additional 1.5% for each of 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18. This formula takes account of National Minimum Wage increases announced each October.
It did not take account of the introduction of the National Living Wage and so additional provision has had to be made for that in the new financial year.
Market premia reflect an adjustment for local market conditions and are not directly related to care.
Third party top ups are paid by individual residents or their families and are additional to the care fees paid by the council. It is not, therefore, appropriate for Devon County Council to make any award on such payments.
The proposals were subject to consultation with the market during February 2016. Only 12 responses were received. These typically made representations which extended beyond the terms of the consultation. The Council welcomes that feedback and will consider it as part of a wider review of its commissioning strategy for care homes which will be undertaken during 2016/17.
The Council considered whether it should honour the payment of an additional 1.5% in relation to banded fees, bearing in mind the extra cost of meeting the new NLW. It concluded that it had entered into that commitment in good faith and that it should be paid in the coming year as part of the Council’s continued commitment to securing a sufficient and sustainable market.
An impact assessment has been undertaken and careful attention has been given to ensuring that the needs of people with protected characteristics are addressed.
None
A copy of this decision and any supporting documentation considered by the Officer taking this decision may also be made available or inspection by the public at the Council’s Offices or posted upon payment of any copying and postage charges. Any member of the public wishing to take up either of these options is asked to please ring 01392 382888 or email: members.services@devon.gov.uk