Agenda item

“This Council notes that over a million older people in England are struggling with unmet care needs and believes that in light of an ageing population we need bold changes to deliver a long term funding solution for social care. 

Doncaster Council believes that it is fundamentally unfair that in order to access basic care, many older people face catastrophic costs that can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, wipe out a lifetime of savings, and force families to sell their homes.

This Council also believes that England’s care system needs major reform to provide a long-term sustainable funding solution and to make care free at the point of use.

The Council therefore supports Independent Age’s call for the introduction of free personal care for all older people in England, alongside a new social care contribution to fully fund the policy on a sustainable basis. 

This Council calls on the Government to take the necessary steps to implement this policy as swiftly as possible to end the care crisis and properly support older people in Doncaster.

Doncaster Council also calls on our local MP’s to support the campaign for free personal care, and to speak up in favour of the policy in the House of Commons and through their wider engagements.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.1, a Motion was submitted by Councillor Rachael Blake and in the absence of Councillor Andrea Robinson, Seconded by Councillor Pat Haith:-

“This Council notes that over a million older people in England are struggling with unmet care needs and believes that in light of an ageing population, we need bold changes to deliver a long-term funding solution for social care. 

Doncaster Council believes that it is fundamentally unfair that in order to access basic care, many older people face catastrophic costs that can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, wipe out a lifetime of savings, and force families to sell their homes.

This Council also believes that England’s care system needs major reform to provide a long-term sustainable funding solution, and to make care free at the point of use.

The Council therefore supports Independent Age’s call for the introduction of free personal care for all older people in England, alongside a new social care contribution to fully fund the policy on a sustainable basis. 

This Council calls on the Government to take the necessary steps to implement this policy as swiftly as possible to end the care crisis, and properly support older people in Doncaster.

Doncaster Council also calls on our local MPs to support the campaign for free personal care, and to speak up in favour of the policy in the House of Commons and through their wider engagements.”

The Chair afforded all Members in the Chamber, the opportunity to speak on the Motion.

A vote was taken on the Motion proposed by Councillor Rachael Blake, which was declared as follows:-

For - 42

Against - 0

Abstain - 0

On being put to the meeting, the Motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that this Council notes that over a million older people in England are struggling with unmet care needs and believes that in light of an ageing population, we need bold changes to deliver a long-term funding solution for social care. 

Doncaster Council believes that it is fundamentally unfair that in order to access basic care, many older people face catastrophic costs that can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, wipe out a lifetime of savings, and force families to sell their homes.

This Council also believes that England’s care system needs major reform to provide a long-term sustainable funding solution, and to make care free at the point of use.

The Council therefore supports Independent Age’s call for the introduction of free personal care for all older people in England, alongside a new social care contribution to fully fund the policy on a sustainable basis. 

This Council calls on the Government to take the necessary steps to implement this policy as swiftly as possible to end the care crisis, and properly support older people in Doncaster.

Doncaster Council also calls on our local MPs to support the campaign for free personal care, and to speak up in favour of the policy in the House of Commons and through their wider engagements.