Proposal to charge for non-residential social care deferred
Councillors will wait until the implications of the Scottish Government's budget are clear before making a decision
Published: 5 December 2024
A decision on a proposal to introduce non-residential care charges in East Renfrewshire has been deferred.
The proposal, put forward due to the significant financial challenges being faced by East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), outlined plans to start charging for elements of social care, such as social supports and day opportunities.
Members of the Council's Cabinet discussed the proposal in detail at a meeting today (Thursday 5 December 2024) and agreed to defer the decision until the implications of the Scottish Government's budget are clear.
Council Leader Owen O'Donnell, who is also chair of the Council's Cabinet, said: 'This is a proposal that has implications for some of our most vulnerable residents, so we need to ensure that we give it the time and care it deserves. While we don't want to give people false hope, it's only right we pause and have all the facts available before we make this difficult decision.'
Councillor Katie Pragnell, Member of Cabinet and Chair of the Integration Joint Board, added: 'I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to share their views on this proposal, I know this has not been easy. It is important we understand any funding implications before we make a decision, and we await clarification from the Scottish Government.'
The Council retains the authority to set charges for social care services, however the planning and oversight of local health and social care services is the responsibility of East Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board, an independent board which governs the HSCP.
The HSCP has spent many years avoiding proposing these charges, and is currently the only HSCP in Greater Glasgow and Clyde that does not charge for non-residential care.
Regrettably, the HSCP's financial position, the demand for services and the increasing complexity of need, means they have put the proposal to introduce means-tested charges for these services forward.
The proposal will be reconsidered at the next Cabinet meeting on 6 February 2025.
