FAMILIES of the poorest pensioners could be unnecessarily paying for their care in Wokingham according to an old age charity.

Wokingham borough council was named by Independant Age amongst a list of those who flouted procedures for assessing how families should pay top up fees for their relative’s care.

A Freedom of Information request by Independent Age found Wokingham Borough Council was failing to ensure all parties had a written agreement in place, to carry out annual reviews or ensure all top-ups in their area were arranged with their involvement.

The borough council say they are fully compliant with the requirements in the Care Act and simply made a mistake responding to the charity’s questions.

The additional fees are supposed to be voluntary contribution paid by relatives of residents whose care is being funded by the council. They extra on offer can include a larger room or a nicer view.

Julian McGhee-Sumner, executive member for health on Wokingham Borough Council, said: “Having reviewed the information supplied, it’s clear we made an error in our own submission.

“Although there is always more that could be done, we are complaint with the Care Act duties with regard to top up fees. And, I am grateful for the opportunity to correct.

“We are well aware of our top-up responsibilities and we ensure the correct contractual safeguards are in place wherever a third party top up is arranged.
“We also offer advice and guidance to anyone looking to make such an arrangement.

“Our contract with care homes specifically precludes them seeking top ups from relatives outside of formal arrangements and for specific purposes.

“We have no evidence of any circumstance in which a care home has sought to circumvent the formal process. If that did come to light, we would take robust action.”

He said the funding for the borough council’s responsibilities has been included in the general formula grant the council receives from Westminster but this funding has been slashed in half.

Bracknell is also named in the charity’s list but does not have any top-up fees in place for people in the borough.

Councillor Dale Birch, executive member for adult services, health and housing said: “We are not aware of any top-up arrangements in place for people in a care home funded by the council and have not received any requests for a top-up fee to be added to our contract with the provider, which would then be charged back to the person responsible for paying the top up fee.

“Any current top ups will be private arrangements between the fee payer and the care home.

“I encourage anyone who is currently paying top up fees in the borough to contact our adult social care team on 01344 351385 so that we may incorporate these into the contract we hold with the care home.”