Issue - meetings

This report presents to the Executive Member the option to implement the prescribed fixed costs for administering Court of Protection cases as set out in the Court of Protection rules 2007. 

RESOLVED:   That the appropriate Court of Protection Fixed Costs pertaining to local authorities who act as Deputies be applied.   The current rates are set out at Table A and Annex 1 of this report. 

Reason:  To remove the expense of providing this service from the councils budget.

The Executive Member considered a report that presented the option to implement the prescribed fixed costs for administering Court of Protection cases as set out in the Court of Protection rules 2007.

Officers gave an update and confirmed that the Council had for many years administered Court of Protection cases without claiming the fixed amount of remuneration to which it is entitled and after consultation with the Association of Public Authority Deputies, officers stated that other Local Authorities do charge in line with the fees set out by the Court of Protection.

In answer to the Executive Members questions officers confirmed:

·        the Council only takes the role of deputy if no other person was able or willing to do so or it was in the interest of the customer.

·        that cases were increasing and currently 8 cases were been managed and a further 8 were to be transferred from Legal.

·      that a waiver of costs would only be issued under exceptional circumstances which would be agreed by the Assistant Director.

RESOLVED:  That the appropriate Court of Protection Fixed Costs pertaining to local authorities who act as Deputies be applied.   The current rates are set out at Table A and Annex 1 of this report. 

Reason:  To remove the expense of providing this service from the councils budget.