Have your say on council plans for adult social care charges
Thursday, 30 January 2020
We're urging residents to have their say on changes to how we charge for adult social care.
If you or a loved one accesses social care, or you’re planning for the future, these changes could affect you.
The consultation opened this week and closes on 20 April 2020.
For the last ten years, what and how customers need to pay has been set out in our Adult Social Care Charging Policy, which is based on national legislation. It needs to be fundamentally reviewed and updated now, to take into account the changes since it was created.
Councillor Richard Wenham, our Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources said:
We’re in a very different financial landscape to ten years ago when the last Policy was created, so it is right that we look at it again. We have more limited resources – mainly funded by Council Tax – but a much higher demand for adult social care services.
Councillor Carole Hegley, our Executive Member for Adults, Social Care, Housing Operations (HRA) and Customer Services, added:
As more people are living longer and often with complex needs, the demand is increasing along with the cost of providing these services. So, these are tough decisions but we believe the proposals we’ve put forward are fair and we’d really like to hear people’s thoughts on them.
Have your say online or pick up a paper copy of the consultation summary and questionnaire at council offices in Dunstable and Chicksands or one of our libraries.
We will also be writing directly to current customers who could be impacted if the changes are approved.