Unfairer Charging

Letters dated October 31st went to over 4,600 vulnerable people in Lincolnshire, informing them that the cost of their essential care was about to double or more. Hourly charge went from £5.50 per hour to £10 per hour and for some very needy people, from £41 to up to £120 per week, starting on November 4th. These vulnerable people were given less than five days to find the money. Independents fought hard to have any necessary increases phased in gradually, but the Conservatives went right ahead.

These services are essential care which people have been assessed as unable to manage without. Suddenly pushing up the charges to well above normal care rates destabilises the service and is unfair and dangerous to the individuals concerned, who may try to manage with less. This risks both personal pain and an increased financial burden to the health service and to social services in the aftermath.

The LCC management costs in adult social care are too high and this should be tackled first, way before vulnerable people are asked to plug the hole in the Council’s budget.

To suggest the increases are suddenly needed right now to fill a gap in the budget would suggest poor management. This same month it is interesting to see the offices painted and carpeted (£88,600), furniture swapped for modern tables and chairs (£12,340) and new IT arriving shortly in the Council Chamber (136,000). Management costs have risen 29% this year and last year £1m was put into reserves.


So where has the Council spent money?
Increased management from £1,806m per annum prior to restructuring to now £2,318m per annum, a rise of 29%. This covers salary, national insurance and employer pension contributions: it relates to the CMT as above plus new Assistant Directors.

Increased member allowances Special responsibility allowances from £273,451 in 2005 to £300,291 in 2006(10%). More than the Lions share (83%) goes to the Conservatives who make up just over half (58%) of the members.

Smarter offices £100,000 budgeted for decorating the offices, £136,000 proposed for new microphone system.

Increased reserves £1m was put into reserves last year.