Council launches adult social care charging policy consultation

Cheshire East Council is seeking views on several proposed changes to its adult social care charging policy.

The aim is to review the way contributions are calculated in line with national guidance and update rates and fees to reflect the cost of current care prices.

There is a rising demand for services to meet care and support needs and the purpose of this consultation is to engage with service users, carers, and the wider community on the proposals to update charging arrangements in adult social care.

Councillor Jill Rhodes, adults and health committee chair at Cheshire East Council, said:

“Cheshire East’s current charging policy has rates and fees aligned to historic care prices which are out of line with Government thresholds, resulting in a subsidy for residents who are assessed to pay full cost.

“The proposals set out in this consultation support the council’s priority in the Corporate Plan to support a sustainable financial future for the council, through service development, improvement, and transformation.

“Income generated from adult social care charges directly funds adult social care services.

“By increasing the amount of the income that comes into the council from adult social care charges, the aim is to ensure quality front line services continue to be delivered to the residents of Cheshire East in a financially sustainable manner and will meet future demand.”  

The council will be running several consultation events, which residents can attend to give their views:

• Thursday 9 November 2023 9am to 2.30pm

Capesthorne Room, Old Town Hall, Macclesfield SK10 1EA

• Monday 13 November 2023 9am to 2.30pm

Chamber, Municipal Buildings, Crewe CW1 2BJ

• Thursday 16 November 2023 1pm to 4.30pm (Drop in for 30-minute slots)

R1 and R2, Ground Floor, Westfields, Sandbach CW11 1HZ

• Wednesday 29 November 2023 9am to 2.30pm

Chamber, Old Town Hall, Macclesfield SK10 1EA

• Thursday 30 November 2023 9am to 2.30pm

Chamber, Municipal Buildings, Crewe CW1 2BJ

• Monday 4 December 2023 10am to 12pm

Oakmere, Spath Lane, Handforth SK9 3NS 

• Tuesday 5 December 2023 10am to 12pm

Heath View, Heath Road, Congleton CW12 4BB 

• Wednesday 6 December 2023 10am to 12pm

Mill House, Queens Drive, Nantwich CW5 5BX 

• Friday 8 December 2023 10am to 12pm

Willowmere, East Road, Middlewich CW10 9HW 

If any changes to adult social care charges are put in place as an outcome of this consultation, those affected will have a new financial assessment and will be notified of any change to their charges.

To book a place and to tell us about any special requirements for an event, please contact Social Care Business Support and Finance:

Email: 

ChargingConsultation@cheshireeast.gov.uk 

Phone:

0300 123 5102 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday.

If residents are unable to attend one of these events, you can find out more about the proposals and tell us your views by filling in the consultation questionnaire online, which can be found at: 

www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ASCConsultation

The consultation will run for 12 weeks starting on 30 October 2023 and closing on 21 January 2024.