Chamber and committees

There are no plans to ring-fence funding for care home fees for the next three years. The Scottish Government is providing local government in Scotland with record levels of funding over the period 2008-10. The total package of funding over the two year period will see an investment of £23 billion. The vast majority of the funding, including funding for care home fees, is being provided by means of a block grant. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate the total financial resources available to it on the basis of local needs and priorities, taking account of its statutory obligations and commitment to deliver the outcomes agreed jointly with the Scottish Government.

In relation to care home fees for publicly funded clients, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities negotiates with representatives of the independent care home sector annually to set appropriate and consistent fee levels across Scotland as part of the National Care Home Contract. They have just agreed a settlement for the next two years which will mean that the fee base rate will be increased by 2.8% for 2009-10 and by 2.7% in 2010-11.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22574 on 23 April 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The free personal care policy was introduced to benefit people aged 65 and over receiving care in their own home or in a care home. Services are provided without charge to those assessed as requiring them at home. On the basis of an assessment of need, weekly payments of £153 for personal care and £69 for nursing care are available to people who meet their own care costs in care homes. There are no plans to extend this general provision to other care groups. For people under the age of 65, two forms of support are provided. Nursing care payments are available to care home residents who fully fund their care home costs, and people who have dementia or any other degenerative illness who require care, and who live in their own homes, can claim Disability Living Allowance. People over the age of 65 who attend day care services may be eligible for free personal care at home and Attendance Allowance.

The National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Regulations 1992 and associate guidance provide the framework for local authorities to charge for the care that they provide or arrange in residential care homes. In carrying out the financial assessment, local authorities have the discretion to decide if an asset was disposed of deliberately to avoid or reduce care charges, taking account of the specific circumstances of each case. Where the resident disagrees with the local authority''s decision, they can complain to the council and ultimately to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.

Public information notices will be available in libraries, and local authority offices where staff can provide the information in a range of accessible formats to meet citizens requirements. This includes whether the contact is by telephone or in person. In addition, in line with current practice, information notices will be posted on customer or community service points for those local authorities who provide this service.

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0226-01.htm

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0212-01.htm

The Scottish Government has worked with COSLA to agree a new approach to managing and funding local delivery. As part of this, we have agreed to devolve responsibility and funding for local matters to local councils wherever possible, including for town centre regeneration. It is not the Scottish Government’s intention to create new ring fenced funds for specific issues.

Agreement has also been reached with COSLA on the key elements of the transfer of local regeneration functions and resources to local authorities in the Scottish Enterprise area, in line with the enterprise networks reform package announced in September 2007. In line with the agreement, the lead role in local regeneration projects, which might include town centre regeneration, will in future lie with local authorities.

Local regeneration, including that of town centres, is primarily a matter for local authorities and their partners. However, the Scottish Government has developed a range of national policies that support the regeneration and growth of town, city and village centres across Scotland.

These include the Small Business Bonus Scheme, introduced on 1 April 2008, our ongoing support for Business Improvement Districts, and planning guidance.

To advance a shared understanding of the issues facing town centres, the Scottish Government has recently invited a wide range of stakeholders to contribute to a series of facilitated discussions which are intended to identify practical actions which can be taken by local stakeholders and local or central government to sustain and, where necessary, regenerate Scotland’s high streets.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the delivery of effective, equitable and empowering services which meet the needs of all Scotland’s disabled children and their families. This includes work on disability equality, support for learning in schools, further education and higher education, direct payments for self-directed care, equipment and adaptations (including adaptations in the private sector), wheelchairs and seating, and moving and handling.

The Scottish Government will be providing local government in Scotland with record levels of funding over the spending review period 2008-11. It is the responsibility of local authorities and health boards to allocate appropriate resources to meeting the needs of disabled children and young people. The Scottish Government also sponsors a wide range of organisations providing direct support to children and young people with disabilities, and their families.