Hampshire adult social care schemes could be axed to save £680,000
THREE grant schemes could be scrapped as part of efforts to save £680,000 from Hampshire County Council’s adult social care budget.
HCC has launched a six-week public consultation on its proposals to end the Neighbourhood Care and Support grant scheme, the Community Based Support grant scheme and the Rural Connections grant scheme as part of efforts to address an overall budget shortfall of £80m by April 2023.
The grants are currently available to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations which support adults to live independently in their communities.
In 2020 the Neighbourhood Care and Support Grant has helped over 100 community groups to support around 26,000 mainly older people.
The Community Based Support grant helps around 2,000 people a month who are over 65 stay healthy by taking part in exercise classes.
The Rural Connections grant scheme helps people living in rural areas access benefits and other services.
A further £360,000 could be saved reducing funding to organisations and charities which support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
HCC's cabinet member for adult services and public health, Cllr Liz Fairhurst, said: “Finding additional savings across adult social care is extremely challenging, and while significant work continues to transform services and find more efficient ways of doing things, we have additionally had to take the very difficult decision to review some services that we have no legal obligation to provide.”
If the grant schemes are scrapped HHC has pledged to help organisations secure alternative funding, improve the coordination of grant applications, and offer support to increase the number of volunteers coming forward.
Cllr Fairhurst added: “Homelessness support would continue to receive some £2m of county council discretionary funding, focused on prioritising help in accommodation-based settings, and those services that work with the most vulnerable – as well as delivering outreach and community-based support in those areas where accommodation is not available.”
The consultation closes on Monday 21st March. To comment visit www.hants.gov.uk/AHC-consultation
