Decision details

To approve fees and annual uplift level for 2026/2027

Approval has been given for the proposed fees for Residential Nursing, Home Based Support, Supported Living, Community Based Services and Direct Payment Personal Assistant rates for 2026/27.

Contractually the Council has a commitment to review fee levels on an annual basis. The Council has always had an obligation to take account of the market pressures and to seek views from providers on fee levels, but from April 2015 new statutory responsibilities under the Care Act 2014 require the Council to shape and sustain its markets.

The detailed reasons for the recommendations are set out in details in the report. The proposal ensures that, where appropriate, rates paid to providers will take account of cost of living increases.

A number of alternative options were considered including paying a flat rate to all providers. However, the proposal presented in the report meets the objectives set out, including prioritising the lowest paid contracts and working within the current contract, while being able to allocate funding to support the additional cost of sickness.