Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has launched a borough-wide consultation on proposed changes to how adult social care is charged, inviting residents to help shape a new policy intended to make charging fairer and more consistent.
What the consultation covers
The review considers introducing fees for several specialist financial services that the council provides to people with care needs. Among the items under review are deferred payment agreements — which allow a person to delay paying some or all of the costs of long-term care — and the council’s appointeeship service, used when someone cannot manage their financial affairs and there is no appropriate family member to do so.
“Adult social care remains one of our key priorities, and it’s important that our approach to charging is fair and consistent,”
The quotation above is from Councillor Pauline Beall, cabinet member for health and adult social care, who said the council wants residents’ views before making any changes.
Why the council says the changes are needed
Officials say the proposed policy aims to ensure that people with social care needs are not asked to pay more than they can afford, and that any charges applied are consistent with practice elsewhere. The council also says changes would mean the costs of administering specialised financial services are shared more fairly across those who use them.
How to take part
Residents can complete the consultation survey online at the council’s consultations page: https://www.stockton.gov.uk/current-consultations. For those who prefer in-person help, the council is running drop-in sessions and will provide paper copies of the survey at events and in borough libraries. Accessible formats will be available, and staff will be on hand at sessions to explain proposals and assist people to respond.
- Online: complete the consultation form via the council website.
- In person: attend one of the drop-in sessions to ask questions and fill in a paper survey.
- Libraries: paper surveys will be made available across borough libraries.
- Telephone: residents can call the council for support (details available on the consultation page).
| Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Allensway Day Services | 30 July | 3.30pm–4.30pm |
| LiveWell Hub | 31 July | 1pm–3pm |
What this means locally
If adopted, the proposals could affect people who use the council’s specialist financial services alongside those receiving assessed adult social care. Charges for services such as managing estates after someone dies, or acting as an appointee for someone unable to manage money, would be introduced only after a public decision process. The council stresses that no changes will be implemented without first considering feedback from residents.
Councillor Beall urged people to take part:
“Before any changes are made, we want to hear people’s views so that we can take them into account as part of the decision-making process so please do share your thoughts through the consultation.”
Responses gathered during the consultation will inform the final policy before any formal adoption by the council. Residents concerned about how proposals might affect them personally are advised to attend a drop-in session or contact the council for one-to-one support.
