Around Ealing Spring 2017 | Page 6

Our social care
BUDGET

Social care and your council tax

Ealing Council has announced its core part of council tax bills will be frozen for the ninth year running in 2017 / 18 . But ongoing cuts to its funding and rising demand mean that , for the first time , the council will pass on the government ’ s 2 % social care levy to residents .

The 2 % precept will go directly towards social care costs to support the borough ’ s most vulnerable people . It will pay for services such as home care for older and disabled residents , dementia support services and protecting people from abuse .

A 2 % increase in the middle council tax ‘ band D ’ charge is £ 21.20 per year – and in total the precept will generate a total of £ 2.3million extra to spend on local social care services . It is the equivalent of an extra 41 pence per week on a band D council tax payment .

Our social care

The council supports more than 7,000 adults in need of care , including : n 4,000 + older people , 500 of whom have dementia n 1,000 + with long-term health conditions or physical disabilities n 800 + with learning disabilities
However , this social care precept will not generate enough funding alone to meet the rising demand for these services . Therefore , the council has also had to allocate an additional £ 13million in 2017 / 18 to manage the growth in demand for adult social care . This council
Mary and carer Myrna live together as part of the council ’ s Ealing Shared Lives scheme
cash is five-and-a-half times more money than the social care precept will raise .
Also included in residents ’ council tax bills is a precept to the Greater London Authority to help pay for policing , with the Mayor ’ s share of council tax bills due to rise to
6 around ealing Spring 2017