Decision details

AGREED: that

·         In line with contractual arrangements, Extra Care and Supported Living providers detailed in the table located in paragraph 32 of this report will receive the specified annual contractual CPI uplift. However, in recognition of RLW pressures, if the annual contractual uplift is less than 7.26% (this figure representing a 3% CPI uplift on 40% of contract cost, plus a 10.1% RLW uplift on 60% of the contract cost), the difference will also be provided, to take the total annual uplift to 7.26%. This recommendation only applies to arrangements where the applicable rate of CPI is already known at the time of writing this report.

·         For those contracts where the CPI uplift is not currently known because the date that it is applied falls later in the year, agreed that consideration will be given to the adequacy of the annual CPI uplift to meet RLW costs at that time.

·         Interim support to cover the Real Living Wage (RLW) increase be provided in the form of a grant to those providers whose contract start date anniversary is after April 1st, to support the maintenance of the RLW during the period from April until the anniversary of the contract start date when the annual uplift will be passed on. The grants will reflect the percentage uplift for RLW of 10.1% (the difference between the current rate of £10.90 and the new rate of £12.00) attributed to 60% of provider costs which is understood to relate to staffing.

·         The uplift of 7.26% for providers detailed in paragraphs 34 – 36 of this report be applied, that takes into account a 3% CPI uplift and the percentage uplift for RLW of 10.1% (the difference between the current rate of £10.90 and the new rate of £12.00) attributed to 60% of provider costs which is understood to relate to staffing.

Administration of Uplifts

·         Uplifts be administered in line with contractual agreements.  The grant to those providers whose contract start anniversary date is after April 1st, will cover the period 1st April 2024 up to each contract’s start date anniversary when the CPI uplift will be payable.

Variation in Contract

·         Variation of Contract Form be issued to providers in receipt of the RLW (located at Appendix A), in order to secure their agreement to continue to pay eligible staff at least the RLW from 1 April 2024.

·         Make a fair and equitable investment in service provision within available resources, to manage the financial impacts of changing costs and arrangements within the social care sector regarding increases in staff wages related to the implementation of the RLW for eligible social care workers.

·         Seek assurance from providers in receipt of the RLW uplift, that they have continued to pay their eligible staff at least the RLW from 1 April 2024.