It was previously agreed by cabinet that if Town Councils did not take full responsibility for running the Day Centres, PCC would close them, creating a very large and relevant financial saving.
Can you please identify costs of keeping all these Day Centres open up to date, and confirm whether or not any review is likely to take place in the near future, particularly in relation to the current suggested proposal of a 9.5% increase in council tax?
Minutes:
It was previously agreed by cabinet that if Town Councils did not take full responsibility for running the Day Centres, PCC would close them, creating a very large and relevant financial saving. Can you please identify costs of keeping all these Day Centres open up to date, and confirm whether or not any review is likely to take place in the near future, particularly in relation to the current suggested proposal of a 9.5% increase in council tax?
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Response
In the 2014-17 Medium Term Financial Plan, which was approved by Council on 5th March 2014, it was proposed to reconfigure Day Time Opportunities for Older People. The proposal was to deliver the following savings 2014/15 £250k, 2015/16 £300k, 2016/17 £450k and 2017/18 £490k. The approved proposal stated that there would be a disinvestment from Powys County Council directly delivering Day centres for Older People, whilst developing a different form of service.
For example, consideration was given to seek out community groups/voluntary organisations who might wish to run their local centres but it was emphasised that ‘it would have to be at lower cost that PCC direct delivery, and engage volunteers to assist in service delivery’. Within this option Community Asset transfer to community groups was possible as part of the Council’s overall approach to Community Delivery.
In July 2016 Cabinet were informed about the work that had taken place up to November 2015 to find alternative providers to take over the running of the Centres on a much reduced financial envelope, resulting in only limited success. Also, to approve options for public consultation in respect of Day Time Activities (including Day Centres) and to understand the risks and implications of each in order to support the decision making process. The Report was supported by a full Review and Options Appraisal together with a needs assessment (called a Business Intelligence Insight) for each geographical area of Powys and a whole county overview.
Following the public consultation, it was Cabinet’s decision on 20th December 2016 to remove the requirement to make the saving of £1.1m to enable the continuation of a reduced in-house day service in current localities and authorise the portfolio-holder for Adult Social Care, in conjunction with the Head of Transformation and Director of Social Services, to enter into discussions with Town and Community Councils or other community, private or third sector bodies and if appropriate conclude partnership arrangements for the funding, management or delivery of Day Time Activities.
The Cabinet report was made following consideration of the consultation responses which emphasised the value of carers’ respite provided through day centres, along with the challenges of making the savings required due to ongoing statutory requirements.
Expenditure incurred for the delivery of Older Day Time Activities
Some change to the delivery of the provision has made£188k of savings to date and further planned savings of £117k are expected in 2019/20. One off Town Council funding was secured in 2017/18 of £35k.
There is an ongoing review with all the day centres with further developments anticipated during the coming financial year. This review considers the most effective, efficient and economical management and provision of day centres across the county. An update on this work was provided to Council on the 19th February 2019 and provides an overview of the position at that time. This report is available at https://powysintranet.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=137&MId=4833
Councillor Pritchard’s supplementary question was to ask about the situation in Welshpool where the Town Council had taken over the running of the day centre so residents were paying twice over on their Council Tax from the Town Council and the County Council to keep the other homes open. An answer would be provided.
Supporting documents: