Wednesday 13 November 2024
8 C
Nottingham

Mansfield: Council to end private lifeline service and transfer it to Newark authority

Mansfield District Council seeks approval to cease its private Lifeline service by the 31st of January 2025.

 

The decision, which affects 1,239 private customers, will see the service transferred to Newark & Sherwood District Council’s Careline Service for those who opt to continue. This move follows a comprehensive review of the costs and sustainability of upgrading the system to meet digital requirements, which the council has deemed financially unfeasible.

Financial Burden of Upgrade

The Lifeline service currently relies on traditional analogue phone lines, which will be phased out by 2026 in favour of digital infrastructure. To maintain the service, the council would need to spend approximately £235,410 to upgrade equipment. Given that the digital equipment has a limited lifespan of four years, these costs would recur, adding further financial strain.

In addition to the equipment upgrades, Mansfield District Council faces other operational costs, including staff salaries and system monitoring, which total £369,495.75 annually. The council has highlighted that even with significant price hikes, recovering these costs from customers would be uncertain, leaving the possibility of subsidising the service from its general fund.

- Advertisement -

The financial review revealed that the Council would need to charge each private customer £298.22 annually (£74.56 per quarter) to break even, a fee that would likely deter many users in light of more affordable alternatives available in the market.

Decision to Transfer Service

Documents released ahead of the Portfolio for Housing Meeting next week state that following a review of telecare service providers in the region, the council determined that other providers offered comparable services at lower rates. Consequently, it has liaised with Newark & Sherwood District Council to transfer existing Lifeline customers, ensuring a seamless continuation of service without incurring additional costs to Mansfield District Council. Letters will be sent out to all affected customers in September 2024, detailing their options for switching over.

Impact and Consultation

The decision to end the Lifeline service only affects private customers, with social housing tenants’ services remaining intact. This ensures that the council’s commitment to its social housing lifeline users continues, aligning with its broader goal of protecting the most vulnerable residents as outlined in its “Towards 2030, A Strategy for Mansfield.”

The council has stressed that the decision was necessary due to the financial risks involved in continuing the service. With no statutory obligation to provide Lifeline services, the council would be taking on a significant financial burden without the certainty of cost recovery.

To mitigate reputational damage, the council has worked closely with Newark & Sherwood District Council to ensure that there will be no interruption in service for private Lifeline users who consent to the transfer.

Comments from Officials

Mallory Seddon, Housing Operations & Safeguarding Manager at Mansfield District Council, stated, “The decision to end the private Lifeline service has not been taken lightly. However, the financial realities of the required upgrades mean that it is not feasible for the council to continue providing this service in the private sector. Our partnership with Newark & Sherwood District Council will ensure that all customers who wish to continue their Lifeline service can do so without interruption.”

Future Focus

With the cessation of the private Lifeline service, the council will be able to redirect resources towards improving the quality of its social housing services, particularly focusing on delivering a robust out-of-hours response service.

While the financial impact of ending the service will see a reduction in the council’s budgeted income of £378,837 from private Lifeline users, the savings made from not having to upgrade equipment and reduced staffing requirements will help offset this loss.

Follow The Wire on TikTok, Facebook, X, Instagram. Send your story to newsdesk@westbridgfordwire.com or on 0115 772 0418

Categories:
 

Latest