Key meeting set to consider charges for social services

CHARGES for home care and other social services are set to be discussed by Calderdale councillors next week.

Members of its Adults, Health and Social Care Scrutiny Panel will consider a report on Wednesday.

This says that increasing charges to clients will help to offset the impact of expected spending reductions, brought about by the Government’s austerity measures.

Of the 2,125 people assessed for community care under the charging policy, 934 do not pay any charge at all. The number of people paying the weekly maximum charge of 108 is 61.

Councillors will consider a range of actions that could be taken to reduce the cost of providing services, including increasing the maximum charge that can be paid for services and increasing flat rate charges, such as Careline and meals.

Scrutiny Panel Chairman Coun Ruth Goldthorpe said: “Health and social care budgets are always under pressure, but there will be even less money available in the future, as Government spending cuts start to take effect.

“This will have an effect on people’s lives and the council needs to find out their views before making any decisions.

“People will be welcome to come on Wednesday to the meeting and have their say. This is an important issue for many people, so we have devoted the whole of the meeting to this one item. It’s also really important that people attend the consultation sessions.”

Her comments were echoed by Calderdale’s Cabinet Member, Adults, Health and Social Care, Coun Bob Metcalfe who said: “Nobody wants to have to consider increases to people who use the service.

“But the harsh reality is that Councils up and down the land are in the same position of having to look carefully where savings can be made.

Consultation Events:

n Monday, 11 October – 3pm to 5pm at King Cross Library, King Cross Road, Halifax.

n Tuesday, 12 October – 10am to noon at Todmorden Methodist Church, Bramsche Square.

n Monday, 18 October – 2pm to 4pm at Brighouse Adult Learning Centre, Church Lane, Brighouse.

n Tuesday, 19 October – 6pm to 8pm at Heath Training Centre, Halifax.