Consultation launched on Orkney telecare and day care charges
A consultation has been launched this week on the potential introduction of charges for Orkney Islands Council day care and community care alarm services in the county.
The consultation comes as Orkney Islands Council looks to tackle its ongoing budget challenges by either reducing services, charging for existing services or generating more income to support services.
The budget challenges come at a time where the council is also tackling rising demand for services.
The council is currently the only local authority in Scotland not charging for day care and community care alarm services. The proposals would see:
- A daily charge of £12.50 per day for attending day care.
- A weekly charge of £4.25 for Telecare / Community Care Alarm services on Mainland Orkney and the connected islands, and £2.00 weekly for people living on the ferry-linked islands.
This proposed charge does not affect the personal care provision that service users might receive at day care or from a Mobile Community Responder. Those services will continue to be provided free of charge.
The income from the charges will contribute towards the cost of running those service areas.
Current service users will shortly receive a letter from the Council asking for their views with the findings of the consultation being presented to the elected members, early next year, for a decision to be made.
The consultation will look at concerns individuals may have about the implementation of charges alongside providing an opportunity to find out more about any benefits service users may currently receive. It will also offer a further opportunity for service users to have their income maximised to ensure they are claiming all the benefits they may be entitled to.
Oliver Reid, the chief executive of Orkney Islands Council, said: “I believe that our service users, our community and our workforce understand that we are in an increasingly challenging financial position as costs increase and demand for services rise to a higher level than they’ve ever been. If vital services are to survive, the council must consider asking for a contribution to the cost of delivering these services.
“These are tough and unpalatable decisions for the Council to consider – and the views of relevant service users must be taken into account.”
Stephen Brown is chief officer for the Integration Joint Board. He added: “We recognise that this will not be a welcome ask of our local community, especially at a time when households are struggling with their own costs.
“We anticipate that in order to balance their own budgets, service users might consider cancelling their services – and therefore as part of this process we are offering a full review of a service user’s circumstances in order that we can ensure individual safety as well as a review of benefits.
“Once the survey closes, we will carefully consider the responses and publish a report on the findings. We will also publish the complete responses, too, to reassure folk that all responses have been both received and considered.
“We’d encourage service users and their families to give their views on the proposed charges and, please be assured, there will be no charges until a final decision is taken by Elected Members.”
The survey will close on 31 January 2025