Notts County Council set to save £72m on adult social care in next four years

NOTTS County Council has revealed how it plans to save up to £72 million over the next four years in its adult social care department.

The authority wants to cut down on the cost of residential care by helping people stay in their own homes.

It plans to focus on providing care in people’s houses and to use technology to help people with dementia.

It also intends to close day centres and cut free transport to luncheon clubs to save cash.

One of the biggest proposed savings is to cut the budget for the Supporting People programme – which helps people with housing-related issues – by up to £15m from money used to support sheltered housing schemes and women’s refuges.

People will also have to meet a tougher set of criteria before they qualify to be awarded a personal budget – an allowance to spend on care.

The council’s welfare rights service would be axed.

David Pearson, the council’s corporate director of adult social care and health, said the council was forced to focus its spending on those most in need.

And Stuart Wallace, deputy cabinet member for adult social care and health, said changes to residential care would allow people “greater dignity”.

The council is set to discuss its cost-cutting proposals on October 21.