Issue - items at meetings - KD 3933 The Care Act 2014

Issue - meetings

KD 3933 The Care Act 2014

Meeting: 23/07/2014 - Cabinet (Item 10)

10 The Care Act 2014 pdf icon PDF 472 KB

A report from the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care is attached. This sets out the key requirements of the Care Act 2014, the potential impact on the Council and progress made locally to implement it. (Key decision – reference number 3933)

(Report No.20)

(8.45 – 8.50 pm)

Minutes:

Councillor Don McGowan (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care) introduced the report of the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (No.20) setting out the key requirements of the Care Act, the potential impact on the Council and progress made locally to implement it.

 

NOTED

 

1.               That from April 2015 new and considerable duties would be placed on local authorities in implementing the requirements of the Care Act 2014 as detailed in the report.

 

2.               The significant financial changes and implications arising from the Care Act as set out in the report. The detailed financial impact of implementing the Care Act was set out in section 7 of the report and further financial implications detailed in section 10 of the report. It was estimated that there would be a significant funding gap that local authorities would be required to meet. This would present a financial challenge for the Council.

 

Alternative Options Considered: It was a statutory requirement to implement the Care Act, so no alternative options had been considered in the drafting of the report.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet

 

1.               Noted that the Care Bill had received Royal Assent in May and was now an Act of Parliament.

2.               Noted that the consultation on the draft regulations and guidance for Part 1 of the Care Act had been published: and agreed the delegation of the Council’s response to the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, Councillor Don McGowan.

3.               Noted the implications of the Care Act on local authorities, and agreed to approve progress made locally to prepare for the implementation (paragraph 6 of the report referred) and the funding allocations attached (paragraph 7 of the report referred).

4.               Agreed the progression to a full impact assessment and gap analysis being produced on the basis of the key milestones set out in legislation for 2015 and 2016.

5.               Noted the potential impact of the Act locally, including key financial risks.

6.               Agreed that the Council would demand that Central Government meets its promise to fully fund the cost of new burdens to local authorities even if higher than its initial estimations.

 

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that the report be noted.

 

Reason: It was a statutory duty for local authorities to implement the Care Act. It was essential that Cabinet was aware of the reforms and the implications for the Council.

(Key decision – 3933)