Adult care costs in West Berks council homes set to increase by up to 20 per cent

Costs are set to go up above the rate of inflation for adult social care users in West Berkshire.

And people currently being transported to day centres for free in West Berkshire could now have to pay.

Car park costs will also increase, but the council is keeping the figures for that close to its chest. It says the increases will generate up to £450,000.

The council is calling the cost changes a ‘restructure’ – but that was clarified as a restructure 'upwards’ at Thursday’s special executive committee meeting.

It was agreed to put a range of cuts proposals to pubic consultation next week (November 27).

The council is looking at a financial black hole of around £14m and has listed a reduction in household waste recycling centre hours, less grass cutting, a trimming of bridge repairs, and fewer dog waste bins in the consultation budget cuts.

There are around £10m of cuts being planned, but £7.3m of those are not going to be publicly consulted on. There are no publicly available details for what these cuts are.

The adult social care costs ‘restructure’ in council-run care homes will go up between 10 and 20 per cent should the proposals get ratified after the public consultation.

And there are moves to close Willows Edge – one of its three homes – which is home to 37 people with dementia. That is now subject to a petition to stop the closure.

“To date we have not charged these individuals what it actually costs us to provide the placement,” said the council papers outlining the charges.

“There will be a financial impact on those residents that pay for the full cost of their care. These individuals could choose to move to an alternative care home.”

Jo Stewart (Con, Tilehurst Birch Copse) was the former administration’s adult social care lead.

She asked: “Are we confident that should the decision be taken to close it, can we find other providers to take them?"

Alan Macro, (Lib Dem, Theale). portfolio holder for adult social care, said: “We have looked carefully at the availability of spaces.

"There are spaces at Birchwood, but we are keeping a close eye and will do everything to make sure residents are kept together as far as possible.”

But the council’s own figures say that Birchwood costs it more per person than Willows Edge.

The cost to the council of purchasing a bed in a privately-run care home is currently an average of £1,133 per week.

Whereas it says the cost of those beds in its own homes is much higher.

At Birchwood it costs the council £2,572 a week, Notrees £1,496 and Willows Edge £1,598.

By closing Willows Edge it says it will save £240,000 a year. The council also says the home needs to be renovated.

Lee Dillon (Lib Dem, Thatcham North East), leader of West Berkshire Council, added: “In our new Council Strategy we introduced a priority to deliver services we are proud of, and this requires us now having a fit for purpose financial control environment.

"In setting our budgetary plan for the year ahead we will be addressing areas which have previously overspent their budget allocation due to either under sufficient investment or rigorous cost control oversight.

"Getting this right now will mean we can optimise our financial efficiency and thus reduce the risk of unexpected budgetary surprises – putting us in a stronger position to deliver consistent, good quality services for residents and in support of our priorities for improvement.”

The council is also firefighting a predicted £8.7m overspend this year – caused, it says, by inflationary pressures and service delivery increases.

It says it has made some inroads into the overspend by reducing agency staff costs, by encouraging agency workers to take staff jobs.