Cllr Philip Atkins
Cllr Philip Atkins

Council bosses have warned the cost of care across Staffordshire is unsustainable with record levels of spending predicted this year.

Cllr Philip Atkins, leader of Staffordshire County Council, said 65% of the authority’s budget now went on care, despite falling funding from central government.

The council has already agreed a five-year plan to cut costs in a bid to help tackle the growing costs associated with supporting vulnerable residents – with £320million set aside for 2020.

But Cllr Atkins warned the current situation was now becoming unsustainable.

“As a county council, we have acted swiftly to manage the increasing pressures on our budget.

“We have been honest with partners and communities about the challenges we face together and continue to work with them to find new and more affordable ways of supporting residents through greater use of digital technology and locally-based support.

“Our call now is for the new Government to back the ambitions of well-run councils like Staffordshire by securing a long-term national solution to how we fund care, support children with special educational needs and disabilities and protect our local roads from further decline.”

Cllr Philip Atkins, Staffordshire County Council

To help balance the books the county council’s share of the council tax will rise by 3.95 percent, which includes the Government’s 2 percent levy to help towards the care bill.

Cllr Atkins said:

“With national Government funding continuing to fall, the council tax we all pay in Staffordshire has to work even harder to not only protect the most vulnerable, but also give everyone the best shot at living as healthy, rewarding and independent a life as possible.

“As we enter 2020, I am not only hugely proud to be leader of this council, but also hugely optimistic about how much we can still achieve with partners and our communities for the benefit of Staffordshire families.”

Cllr Philip Atkins, Staffordshire County Council

The draft budget for 2020/21 will be discussed at a meeting of the council’s Cabinet on 8th January. 

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

9 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Rodger
4 years ago

Quite frankly the ageing population and the resulting costs have been known for decades, it’s not a surprise. The various levels of government have just ignored the reality and have not planned for it. The end result is the same as anything which is not maintained, it becomes derelict.

Philip Allso
4 years ago

Very perceptive Rodger. Many of our relatives gave their lives to give the next generations a better chance in life. Hard to imagine that altruist sacrifice. Throughout my life I have experienced the consequences of the ‘post war bulge’. Yes we have been lucky in a world far different from that of those hero’s. The progress of the bulge has been totally predictable. We are not just a group, we are individuals. We don’t feel an entitlement but our lives were compromised by the events of the last war. When it was announced that the land would be fit for hero’s it really implied their prodigy. Times change and people forget. We might all be existing very different lives had our forefathers blood not given the chances now taken for granted, and the compensations pre
sent generations owe us in return.

Adam Elsdon
4 years ago

Conservative council leader wrings hands and blames Conservative central government for decreased funding for social care and the most vulnerable. Council tax to goes up and services continue to get cut.
Can’t afford care in your old age, sell your house off and pay for it.
Get what you voted for: Conservative

Rob
4 years ago

And those without a house to sell, a free pass?

Rodger
4 years ago

This is not a political issue, but a common sense social issue. Governments of all colours have known this was coming, it has been understood for many years, I had a book on the issues surrounding the NHS and Social Services which was written in the early 80’s. This stated clearly that the ageing population and better health care would lead to this situation. And it has -neither the Labour Party or indeed the Conservatives have prepared the nation for this crisis.

Philip Allso
4 years ago

@Rodger…. The demographics are more serious than the post war bulge. Over the next 25 years (the bulge years will be over by then) the number of those over 85 will have doubled. This is an ongoing situation related to better medication and lower berth rates. The UK population is going to be one of increasing age. One of the problems is that, with relatively short term administrations, no party will give long term problems any real consideration. How this can be satisfactorily addressed is difficult to contemplate. Perhaps our MP would like to explain?

John Griffin
4 years ago

Phillip Allso you are not just correct but your argument can be applied across the board e.g. climate change. Unfortunately your, and my, vision of citizenship is not shared by those who view most people either with supercilious contempt (e.g. Cummings, Johnson) or as economic units from which profit may be extracted.

Mr Peter Cross
4 years ago

Hi, might l ask a question of your informed comments on this issue, the five year plan for ”integrated health and social care” by the NHS lead by the ‘Minister for Health and Social Care’. Does it not suggest to you that the long term plan is to take the funding of Social Care off County Councils and fund it through the NHS.

Philip Allso
4 years ago

How would that be possible Peter? Much of the care provision in the future might be home based. In fact the government has alluded to this. The N H S is scarcely able to cope now. Local rates already include a levy for care. There is no simplistic answer. The reality will not disappear. The voluntary sector already contributes substantial support but this will not be enough for future needs. Like, as already been stated, taking the long term view is not an easy or popular option. This is not a new problem, France in the past introduced legislation to encourage childbearing in order to change the age demographic. This might work for a generation but is in itself a bulge that goes through the whole system. Most ‘Old World’s countries are experiencing similar situations. It is to be hoped that government has the will to treat it in a humanistic way. I am rather afraid that the ‘Cradle to grave’ concept of health provision might not survive another generation.