Lead Member – Councillor Ruth Houghton, Portfolio Holder for Social Care

Lead Officer – Laura Tyler

RESOLVED

3.1 To approve the introduction of charging for telecare services as outlined in this report with effect from 1st October 2025 on the basis that any financial contribution will be determined by reference to the Council’s Adult Social Care Charging and Financial Assessment Policy for Non-residential Care 2024-25 and;

3.2 To approve that, aligned with good practice, individuals will be supported to maximise income and to access eligible benefits in order to mitigate any adverse financial impact; and;

3.3 To delegate responsibility for implementing the charging structure for telecare services provided by the Council to the Executive Director (DAS) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Social Care.

The Portfolio Holder for Social Care introduced the proposal to implement a charge for telecare services, designed to help individuals live independently in their own homes.  Shropshire Council had previously provided this service free of charge including to self-funders, this made it an outlier compared to other authorities.  With demand increasing the Council needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the service. 

A financial assessment would determine ability to pay for services and as part of this support would be provided for individuals to access all eligible benefits.    The proposed weekly charge was a subsidised fee of £3.45 with a subsidised installation charge of £35.00 for new users eligible to pay. 

Group Leaders raised concerns including potential loss of subscribers to the service once the charge was implemented, and impact on vulnerable individuals.  Some Group Leaders expressed the view that the proposal should have been presented for pre-decision scrutiny at an Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  It was suggested that it should still be considered by a Scrutiny Committee before a decision was made to provide further opportunity to consider impact on groups with protected characteristics and ways to mitigate the impacts of charging for a key preventative service.  

The Portfolio Holder acknowledged the importance pre-decision scrutiny but drew attention to the Equality Impact Assessment and full public consultation already undertaken, and the need to implement the charge quickly in the light of financial position the Council was in.  Shropshire Council was an outlier in that it did not charge already, and signposting to benefits, advice, support and reassessment would be prioritised.  If helpful, an implementation plan could be drawn up and shared with all members. 

RESOLVED

3.1 To approve the introduction of charging for telecare services as outlined in this report with effect from 1st October 2025 on the basis that any financial contribution will be determined by reference to the Council’s Adult Social Care Charging and Financial Assessment Policy for Non-residential Care 2024-25 and;

3.2 To approve that, aligned with good practice, individuals will be supported to maximise income and to access eligible benefits in order to mitigate any adverse financial impact; and;

3.3 To delegate responsibility for implementing the charging structure for telecare services provided by the Council to the Executive Director (DAS) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Social Care.