Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Laura Gordon.

- guidance note below

There were none.

Any county councillor may, by giving notice to the Proper Officer by 9 am three working days before the meeting, ask a question on an item on the agenda.

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See annex.

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6- Proposed Changes to Adult Social Care Contributions Policy

Zoe Williams

Canio Santoliquido

Cllr Imade Edosomwan

Cabinet will receive the report and recommendations of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Adult Social Care Charging Policy

Cabinet received the report and recommendations of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the Adult Social Care Contributions Policy.  The Cabinet response was published with the Scrutiny report.

Cabinet Member: Adults

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/079

Key decision

Contact: Jake Finley, Project Manager

Jake.finley@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by the Director of Adult Social Care

The Adult Social Care (ASC) Charging Policy Review is a major programme to modernise, align and consolidate Oxfordshire County Council’s charging arrangements across three core areas: Disability Related Expenditure (DRE), Transport Charging, and Telecare Charging. The project brings previously separate policies together into a single, coherent ASC Charging Policy to improve fairness, transparency, sustainability, and financial viability for the Council and service users.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

Note the contents of this report and confirm its agreement for

a.    Reducing the initial Disability Related Expenditure (DRE) allowance from 35% to 25% which is the level that was in place before April 2022,

b.    Introducing an Adult Social Care Transport Policy (Annex 2) that explains the council’s approach to transport and sets out a flat rate of £10 per day for transport arranged by Adult Social Care,

c.    Charge all people using the telecare the actual cost of the service at £9.87 per week. 

Cabinet had before it a report and recommendations on proposed changes to the Adult Social Care Contributions Policy. It included recommendations, consultation outcomes, and implications regarding financial contributions for care services, transport, and telecare.

Councillor Rebekah Fletcher, Cabinet Member for Adults, presented the report. Councillor Fletcher stated that the proposed policy changes were driven by significant financial pressures, including a projected funding gap and government funding cuts, requiring difficult decisions to balance the budget. 

Members noted the contributions made by speakers which raised concerns about the impact on disabled and vulnerable residents, administrative burden, and the fairness of shifting costs onto those least able to pay.

During discussion, Cabinet members noted the impact of the proposed changs but emphasised the statutory duties of the Council with regard to Adult social care.  There would be ongoing monitoring of the impact of the changes, with safeguards for those most affected. 

Councillor Fletcher moved and Councillor Bearder seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:-

Note the contents of this report and confirm its agreement for

a)    Reducing the initial Disability Related Expenditure (DRE) allowance from 35% to 25% which is the level that was in place before April 2022,

b)    Introducing an Adult Social Care Transport Policy (Annex 2) that explains the council’s approach to transport and sets out a flat rate of £10 per day for transport arranged by Adult Social Care,

c)    Charge all people using the telecare the actual cost of the service at £9.87 per week. 

Cabinet Member: Adults

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/061

Key decision

Contact: Naomi Taviner, Head of Joint Commissioning Brokerage

Naomi.taviner@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report of the Director of Adult Social Care

The information contained in this report is exempt in that it falls within the following prescribed category Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and since it is considered that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

The Oxfordshire Care Partnership is a joint venture between Order of St Johns Care Trust and BPHA, operating under a Project Agreement to maintain council-owned care homes and provide care services. The contract began in 2001 and was extended in 2013 to 2032. Options for service delivery and home management will apply from April 2027. Approval is sought to complete negotiations and vary the existing contract.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

a)    Consider and approve the recommendations outlined in the exempt report.

RESOLVED to exclude the public for the duration of item 7 since it was likely that if they were present during that item there would be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and specified below in relation to those items and since it is considered that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Cabinet had before it a report regarding the re-negotiation of the Project Agreement between Oxfordshire County Council and the Oxfordshire Care Partnership (OCP).

Councillor Rebekah Fletcher, Cabinet Member for Adults, presented the report.

In response to questions, the Director of Adult Social Care provided more information on the proposed adjustments to care provision to better meet demand, particularly for dementia care.

Councillor Fletcher moved and Councillor Bearder seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to approve the recommendations as set out in the report.