Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare any:

·        personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, the Cabinet Member is asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or pecuniary interests she may have in the business on the agenda. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2013.

RESOLVED:                That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 22^nd March 2013 be approved and signed by the Cabinet Member as a correct record.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Councils Public Participation Scheme.

This report considers the outcomes of the consultation on proposals to introduce tiered charging and an increase in the level of charge for the Warden Call service together with options and recommendations for approval.   

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member agreed:

(i)           To approve the increase in Warden Call charges from 1^st September 2013 to £5 for tier 1 service and £7 for tier 2 service.

(ii)          To approve a further increase in charges from 1^st April 2014 to £7 for tier 1 service and £10 for tier 2 service.

(iii)        To approve charging cohabitants a further £3 per week where both parties are in receipt of the service.

(iv)        To approve charging customers 50% of the cost for any pendants lost.

REASON:                     To create a two-tiered charging system for Warden Call with prices that more accurately reflect the actual revenue cost of the service.

Consideration was given to a report which presented the outcomes of a consultation on proposals to introduce tiered charging for the Warden Call service together with options and recommendations for approval.

Officers outlined the report and outlined the following proposals which formed the consultation:

Proposal 1 – a two tiered charging regime at £5 for Warden Call and £7 for Telecare.

Proposal 2  - a two tiered charging regime per week of £7 for Warden Call and £10 per week for Telecare.

Proposal 3 – Charge co-habitants of existing customers (an extra £3 per week of the tier 1 rate is set at £5 or an extra £5 if the tier 1 rate is set at £7),

Proposal 4 – to charge for lost equipment (50% of the cost replacement or lost pendants).

Officers advised that the majority of respondents recognised that an increase in the level of charge and the introduction of a two tiered system was reasonable, however there was some concern about the rise in cost amongst some customers.

Officers pointed out that the proposed increases would be staggered with the first increase in September 2013 and the second increase on April 2014 to enable customers to acclimatise to the change in cost.

The Cabinet Member commented that she was content with the recommendations and recognised that such charges needed to be made to meet costs at a time of difficult finances due to cuts in government funding.

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member agreed:

(i)           To approve the increase in Warden Call charges from 1^st September 2013 to £5 for tier 1 service and £7 for tier 2 service.

(ii)          To approve a further increase in charges from 1^st April 2014 to £7 for tier 1 service and £10 for tier 2 service.

(iii)        To approve charging cohabitants a further £3 per week where both parties are in receipt of the service.

(iv)        To approve charging customers 50% of the cost for any pendants lost.

REASON:                     To create a two-tiered charging system for Warden Call with prices that more accurately reflect the actual revenue cost of the service.

This report asks the Cabinet Member to agree the proposed changes to the North Yorkshire Home Choice (NYHC) common allocations policy.

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member agreed to:

(i)           Adopt the proposed  policy as outlined in Option 1.

(ii)          Continue to give the North Yorkshire Home Choice Board delegated authority to make minor amendments to the policy.

REASON:                     To ensure the current NYHC policy adheres to new legal requirements, influence final policy and facilitate implementation.

Consideration was given to a report which asked the Cabinet Member to agree the proposed changes to the North Yorkshire Home Choice (NYHC) common allocations policy.

Officers outlined the report and drew the Cabinet Members attention to the changes to the policy which were outlined at paragraph 33.

The Cabinet Member advised that she was content with the recommendations and that it is important to have a review of policy at regular intervals due to changes in policy both locally and nationally. It is important for the Council to stay in the NYHC as it gives greater flexibility for housing applicants.

RESOLVED:                That the Cabinet Member agreed to:

(i)           Adopt the proposed  policy as outlined in Option 1.

(ii)          Continue to give the North Yorkshire Home Choice Board delegated authority to make minor amendments to the policy.

REASON:                     To ensure the current NYHC policy adheres to new legal requirements, influence final policy and facilitate implementation.