Social care fees back on table to plug funding gap

Tough times Charges for social care are back on the agenda in East Renfrewshire today in a bid to balance the books

- DREW SANDELANDS, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

Controversial plans to introduce new social care charges in East Renfrewshire are recommended for approval again - amid warnings of a £27 million funding gap.

East Renfrewshire Council has twice deferred a decision on the rollout of means-tested £20 per hour fees for nonresidential care which covers activities like help with shopping, housework or travel.

The proposal has been opposed by families and carers but health chiefs have reported dropping it could have even more severe consequences.

The council will reconsider the plan today.

Conservative councillors, who have resisted the new charges, are set to call for a health and social care emergency to be declared in East Renfrewshire.

The area's integration joint board (IJB)-which directs the health and social care partnership (HSCP) has recommended charging for nonresidential care to raise £1.5m.

It is estimated around 500 people would have to pay the new fees.

A decision was deferred in October to see how changes to how funding for adult social care is allocated to councils would affect East Renfrewshire.

But, in a report to councillors, Alexis Chappell, chief officer of the HSCP, said the changes "will add significantly to the financial gap".