Report No: 70/2020

(KEY DECISION)

1) Cabinet noted the implications of the Coronavirus Act 2020 and the Care Act Easements.

2) Cabinet delegated authority to activate the Easements to the Strategic Director for People, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding Adults, in line with the process proposed in this Report.

Councillor Walters, as the relevant Portfolio Holder, submitted his report and elaborated thereon, explaining that on the 31^st March 2020, the Coronavirus Act 2020 had come into force and that the legislative changes under the Coronavirus Act enabled local authorities, working with providers, to streamline assessments, reviews and care planning, and to prioritise care and support. This would ensure that the most urgent and acute needs would be met. It was noted that there was no current intent to enact the easement.

The Strategic Director of People noted that the Care Act Easements would be used only as a last resort to mitigate risk, and where there are no alternative options. He explained that there would soon be increased pressures as services would slowly return to normal and the balance of recovery and dual demands would increase.

RESOLVED:

1) That the implications of the Coronavirus Act 2020 and the Care Act Easements be noted.

2) That authority to activate the Easements be delegated to the Strategic Director for People, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding Adults, in line with the process proposed in the report.

Reason for decisions:

The Care Act Easements may only be used as a last resort. Currently we are confident that the Easements are not required and will attempt to avoid using these new powers unless necessary. Adult Social Care has, for several years, operated a preventative approach to care and support and are working proactively to respond to the needs of our community at this time.

The impact and requirements of the new Care Act Easements are to manage service impact during the Coronavirus crisis. The Easements allow for certain Local Authority duties to be suspended in order to prioritise for those most in need during this time. Delegation to the Strategic Director for People will enable the Easements to be agreed quickly to manage increased demand on statutory services.