Agenda item

Representatives from Cambridgeshire County Council and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group will be in attendance to discuss their respective organisation’s funding obligations to the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency.

Mr Oliver Hayward of Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) and Ms Cath Mitchell of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) were in attendance to answer the Panel’s questions on their respective organisations’ funding arrangements for the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency (CHIA).

Mr Hayward informed Members that CCC has funding agreements with the CHIA however there will be a reduction from 2018/19. Mr Hayward could not provide the value or percentage of the reduction however he did state that a written response would be provided.

Ms Mitchell stated that the CCG had reduced CHIA funding by 60% and this equated to £36,400. The CCG has made the decision that, as of 2018/19, it is unable to fund the CHIA. The Disabled Facility Grant Group and the District Councils were made aware of the decision in 2015/16. The CCG had reviewed the areas that it funds and the decision to stop funding for CHIA was taken because the CCG has no statutory obligation to fund the CHIA.

When asked whether the impact upon CHIA and residents was considered by CCC and the CCG before reducing funding, Members were informed that both the CCC and CCG had reviewed the core funding. The CCC is reviewing opportunities to fund intervention at an earlier stage than CHIA would intervene.

A Member expressed their concern at the impact the decision to remove funding could have upon the mainstream health service. In addition, they questioned why CCC and the CCG decided to reduce funding at a time when the population of the area is growing and therefore there would be more demand on CHIA services. Mr Hayward stated that CCC is using the funding, which would have gone to the CHIA, to fund two new posts which aim to source suitable homes. It was explained that it could be more beneficial that a suitable home is found as opposed to making an adaptation. In response, a Member replied that they are concerned that there are not enough suitable properties to realise CCC’s plans.

The Panel was reminded that, in 2017, CCC voted for a 2% increase in Council Tax which was ring fenced for social care. Mr Hayward informed Members that the funding is still ring fenced for social care however CCC’s central government funding for social care was reduced by a greater amount. As such, CCC has concentrated funding on reablement and domiciliary care.

The Panel was informed that both organisations believe CHIA remains viable so long as the organisation increases its fees.

Ms Mitchell stated that the CCG is willing to discuss a collective funding arrangement as part of the Better Care Fund. At December’s meeting of the Panel, Members had heard how the CHIA were making efficiency savings but will urge Officers to discuss collective funding arrangements with the Better Care Fund Partners.

With regards to funding the CHIA beyond 2020/21, the Panel was informed that the CCG took the decision that it couldn’t fund the CHIA from 2018/19 and that there is no provision to fund beyond then. Mr Hayward confirmed that the CCC agreement is for the current financial year only and there is no agreement in place for funding beyond 2018/19.

Members recognised the offer from the CCG to work together with the Better Care Fund partners and the willingness of Mr Hayward to provide written answers to questions he had little knowledge of. The Panel agreed to forward further questions onto Mr Hayward.

Members recommend that the Panel receives a presentation on adult social care in the next Municipal Year. The decision to receive the presentation will lie with the Members of Panel after Annual Council in May 2018.