Officer Decisions (archive)
Head of Integrated Adult Social Care (interim) - Solveig Wright
Summary of Matter or Issue Requiring Decision:
The award of inflationary uplift for care home fees for 2023/24
Decision Taken:
Following engagement and formal consultation with the care homes market, the following decisions were taken:
1) To award increases to the personalised fee model rates as follows: a. 12.3% increase to residential accommodation rate b. 11.69% increase to nursing accommodation rate c. 8.26% increase to the care hour element
2) To award a weighted average increase of 9.86% up to 11.02% on banded fees
3) To increase non-banded fees, which are negotiated individually, by 10.38%
Summary of Reason(s) for Decision Taken:
Devon County Council which reflects the price it expects to pay for care it expects to pay for care and accommodation of individuals with an eligible need.
As part of the Council’s original proposal of January 2023, the cost of care figures were increased to reflect National Living Wage to be applied from April 2023 and other nationally accepted measures of inflation as at September 2022.
During January/February 2023, the Council consulted on its proposals. The consultation received 6 responses, all of and which were carefully considered by officers.
The Decision Maker has given due regard to the Consultation Document, the Equality Impact Assessment, market conditions and all consultation feedback. Following due consideration of these documents, the Decision Maker reached the decision set out above.
Summary of Alternatives or Options considered and rejected:
The council considered 2 options;
• Option 1, uplift the staff costs by the monetary value of the National Minimum Wage increase for April 2023. This was the preferred option
• Option 2, uplift the staff costs by the % increase of the National Minimum Wage increase for April 2023.
The council already pays above the national living wage within the current composite pay rate, the rate has been uplifted by the monetary value of £0.92 which is in line with the national living wage increase for 2023/24. The Council considers that this offer is fair given that the September CPI baseline which has been used to
calculate this model is forecasted to reduce over the year and we already pay above national living wage within the composite rate.
Details of any conflict of interest and dispensation granted to the Officer taking the decision or by any Member of the Council in delegating responsibility for any specific express delegation:
None
Contact for enquiries/further information:
Name: Solveig Wright Position: Head of Integrated Adult Social Care Commissioning (Interim) Email: Solveig.wright@devon.gov.uk Tel: 01392 382 318
Decision Date:
7 March 2023
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