Appointee Service Charge Consultation Information

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What is this consultation about?

We would like to hear your views on proposed changes to how the Council charges for its Corporate Appointee Service, which supports people who lack capacity to manage their finances when no suitable friends or family can help them.

We want to hear from people who use the Appointee Service, Local Community Groups, Advocacy Groups and Relevant Professionals who work with people who use the service.


What is the Corporate Appointee Service?

Some people are unable to manage their financial affairs because they lack mental capacity. In most cases, this responsibility is taken on by family members, friends or solicitors.

However, if there is no one suitable or able to take on this role, Cheshire West and Chester Council can provide a Corporate Appointee Service to residents and individuals under the Council’s care.

A Corporate Appointee acts on behalf of a person to manage their benefits and ensure their money is used responsibly. This includes: 

  • Claiming all benefits that the person may be entitled to from the Department for Work and Pensions. 
  • Collecting all benefits into a designated account. 
  • Reporting changes in circumstances; and 
  • Managing and spending benefits in the Best Interests of a person who lacks capacity.

The Council understands that it is important that vulnerable residents are able to live their lives with dignity and have easy access to their own benefits and money. However, this is a non-statutory service, meaning it is not required by law, and therefore there is a charge.


Why are changes being considered?

The Council is proposing changes to the charge for the Corporate Appointee Service to:

  • Meet rising demand and costs – Demand for the service has grown significantly – the number of service users increased by 18% in 2024 and a further 7% in 2025. At the same time, the cost of delivering the service is rising, and Council budgets are under pressure. We can’t keep doing everything in the same way, so we need to focus resources on what matters most and rethink how services are delivered.
  • Maintain service quality with limited resources – An internal review in June 2023 found that the Appointee and Deputyship Team had the highest caseload per officer compared to 17 other councils – and in some cases more than double. Despite further resources being allocated to the team, without additional funding the Council will be unable to maintain service quality and vulnerable residents may be turned away from the service.
  • Ensure consistent charging – The Council currently operates two Appointee Services with different charging arrangements - the Corporate Appointee Service operated by the Council’s Appointee and Deputyship Team and Vivo Care Choices Appointee Service. The proposed changes will apply a consistent charge to all service users.
  • Ensuring sustainability into the future – The proposed changes aim to introduce a full cost recovery model so that the service can continue to operate effectively. This will help maintain standards, meet growing demand, and ensure residents who need support can access it easily.


How charges are currently set

The current service charge is based on four factors:

  1. Different rates for residential and community service users
    • Residential care: £5.58 per week (£5.75 in 2026/27 with a 3% inflationary increase).
    • Living in the community: £11.16 per week (£11.50 in 2026/27 with a 3% inflationary increase).
  2. Capital threshold – A charge only applies if the client has more than £5000 in savings or other assets.
  3. Annual review – Charges are reviewed each year in line with inflation.
  4. Vivo Care Choices Appointee Service – a charge does not apply.


What changes are being proposed?

Proposed future service charges would be based on the following four factors:

  1. Introduce a flat rate charge – Currently, charges are different for appointee service users in residential care and those in the community, as outlined above. We are proposing a single weekly charge of £12 for all service users, regardless of where they live.
  2. Lower the capital threshold – Currently, charges only apply if a service user has more than £5,000 in savings or assets, as outlined above. We are proposing to reduce this threshold to more than £2,000.
  3. Annual review – Currently, charges are reviewed annually in line with inflation, as outlined above. We are proposing that future annual reviews would ensure that charges ensure full cost recovery. Any future changes would be communicated clearly and transparently.
  4. Vivo Care Choices Appointee Service – Currently, a charge does not apply to Vivo Appointee Service users. Following Vivo Care Choices coming back into the Council, we are proposing that the same flat rate charge and capital threshold would apply to Vivo Appointee Service users.


Who would be affected and how?

There are currently around 390 Corporate Appointee service users:

  • Around 160 are in residential care
  • Around 230 are not in residential care and live in the community.

Of all the service users, around 240 currently pay charges because their capital is above the current £5,000 threshold.

To consider how many people would be affected by proposals, we carried out some example calculations based on the circumstances of service users. Please note service user figures are indicative and change on a regular basis based on changes in services users’ circumstances. Cost increases provided are based on 2026/27 costs. If proposals were agreed:

Proposals

Who it would affect

1. Introduce a flat rate charge of £12 per week for service users above the capital threshold (£2000)

Around 90 service users in residential care would see an increase of £6.25 per week (around £325 per year)

Around 140 service users who live in the community would see an increase of £0.50 per week (around £26 per year)

2. Lower the capital threshold from £5000 to £2000

Around 70 service users who pay no fee would begin paying a £12 weekly charge (around £624 per year)

Around 80 service users with less than £2000 capital would not be affected, as they would continue to receive the service without charge.

3. Future annual reviews

All service users with a charge would be affected by any future annual increases in the charge, to ensure full cost recovery of the service into the future.

4. Vivo Care Choices Appointee Service

There are around 25 Vivo Appointee Service users.

The majority would be affected by the proposed flat rate charge and capital threshold and would begin paying a £12 weekly charge (around £624 per year).

A small number of service users with less than £2000 capital would not be affected and would continue to receive the service without charge.

Are there any alternatives to the proposals?

If charges are not increased to cover the full cost of delivering the service, the Council would no longer be able to continue the Corporate Appointee Service in the same way. For example, we would not be able to maintain services to an appropriate standard, and we would not be able to meet growing demand, which may mean that future service users would not be able to access the service.

Introducing the proposed changes to the way charges are applied would ensure full cost recovery, protecting the service into the future, so that the Council can continue to offer easy access to appropriate support for current and future service users who need it.

Alternative Appointee Services

Alternative Appointee services are offered by external providers in the private sector. A review of charges for alternative providers with published costs shows that costs range from approximately £10 to £18 per week, depending on whether the service user lives in residential care or the community.

Most other providers do not apply any capital threshold, therefore charges apply to everyone accessing the service. Some apply additional fees, such as a set-up fee. Some also offer a variety of levels of service from ‘standard’ to ‘elite’. Example, charges for three external providers with published costs are illustrated in the table below.

Provider

Residential care

Living in the community

Additional fees

Provider 1

£14.63 per week

£16.20 per week

None

Provider 2

£44 per month

(around £10.15 per week)

£77 per month

(around £17.77 per week)

£145 set-up fee

Provider 3

£45 per month (around £10.38 per week)

£55 per month (around £12.69 per week)

£55 annual banking fee

£150 refundable set-up fee


How people can share their views

There are a number of ways to share views and ideas:

  • Visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/AppointeeConsultation to access further information and fill in an online survey
  • You can also:
    • Read our easy read booklet and complete our easy read survey that uses simpler words and pictures – this is available online, or on request using the contact details below.
    • Request support from an advocacy service to take part in this consultation using the contact details below.
  • Email: AppointeeConsultation@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
  • Write to: Corporate Appointee Team, Cheshire West and Chester Council, The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA
  • Telephone: 0300 123 8123, quoting ‘Appointee Consultation’
  • Paper copies and alternative formats are available on request using the contact details above.

This consultation will be open for responses until 15 February 2026.

What will happen next

We will analyse all the feedback received in this consultation to help inform the proposals for the Appointee Service. The proposals will be considered alongside consultation findings in early 2026 to help inform a decision on proposals. We will share a summary of the consultation findings on the consultation website and explain how the key messages have influenced decisions. Any changes would take effect from 1 April 2026.

What is this consultation about?

We would like to hear your views on proposed changes to how the Council charges for its Corporate Appointee Service, which supports people who lack capacity to manage their finances when no suitable friends or family can help them.

We want to hear from people who use the Appointee Service, Local Community Groups, Advocacy Groups and Relevant Professionals who work with people who use the service.


What is the Corporate Appointee Service?

Some people are unable to manage their financial affairs because they lack mental capacity. In most cases, this responsibility is taken on by family members, friends or solicitors.

However, if there is no one suitable or able to take on this role, Cheshire West and Chester Council can provide a Corporate Appointee Service to residents and individuals under the Council’s care.

A Corporate Appointee acts on behalf of a person to manage their benefits and ensure their money is used responsibly. This includes: 

  • Claiming all benefits that the person may be entitled to from the Department for Work and Pensions. 
  • Collecting all benefits into a designated account. 
  • Reporting changes in circumstances; and 
  • Managing and spending benefits in the Best Interests of a person who lacks capacity.

The Council understands that it is important that vulnerable residents are able to live their lives with dignity and have easy access to their own benefits and money. However, this is a non-statutory service, meaning it is not required by law, and therefore there is a charge.


Why are changes being considered?

The Council is proposing changes to the charge for the Corporate Appointee Service to:

  • Meet rising demand and costs – Demand for the service has grown significantly – the number of service users increased by 18% in 2024 and a further 7% in 2025. At the same time, the cost of delivering the service is rising, and Council budgets are under pressure. We can’t keep doing everything in the same way, so we need to focus resources on what matters most and rethink how services are delivered.
  • Maintain service quality with limited resources – An internal review in June 2023 found that the Appointee and Deputyship Team had the highest caseload per officer compared to 17 other councils – and in some cases more than double. Despite further resources being allocated to the team, without additional funding the Council will be unable to maintain service quality and vulnerable residents may be turned away from the service.
  • Ensure consistent charging – The Council currently operates two Appointee Services with different charging arrangements - the Corporate Appointee Service operated by the Council’s Appointee and Deputyship Team and Vivo Care Choices Appointee Service. The proposed changes will apply a consistent charge to all service users.
  • Ensuring sustainability into the future – The proposed changes aim to introduce a full cost recovery model so that the service can continue to operate effectively. This will help maintain standards, meet growing demand, and ensure residents who need support can access it easily.


How charges are currently set

The current service charge is based on four factors:

  1. Different rates for residential and community service users
    • Residential care: £5.58 per week (£5.75 in 2026/27 with a 3% inflationary increase).
    • Living in the community: £11.16 per week (£11.50 in 2026/27 with a 3% inflationary increase).
  2. Capital threshold – A charge only applies if the client has more than £5000 in savings or other assets.
  3. Annual review – Charges are reviewed each year in line with inflation.
  4. Vivo Care Choices Appointee Service – a charge does not apply.


What changes are being proposed?

Proposed future service charges would be based on the following four factors:

  1. Introduce a flat rate charge – Currently, charges are different for appointee service users in residential care and those in the community, as outlined above. We are proposing a single weekly charge of £12 for all service users, regardless of where they live.
  2. Lower the capital threshold – Currently, charges only apply if a service user has more than £5,000 in savings or assets, as outlined above. We are proposing to reduce this threshold to more than £2,000.
  3. Annual review – Currently, charges are reviewed annually in line with inflation, as outlined above. We are proposing that future annual reviews would ensure that charges ensure full cost recovery. Any future changes would be communicated clearly and transparently.
  4. Vivo Care Choices Appointee Service – Currently, a charge does not apply to Vivo Appointee Service users. Following Vivo Care Choices coming back into the Council, we are proposing that the same flat rate charge and capital threshold would apply to Vivo Appointee Service users.


Who would be affected and how?

There are currently around 390 Corporate Appointee service users:

  • Around 160 are in residential care
  • Around 230 are not in residential care and live in the community.

Of all the service users, around 240 currently pay charges because their capital is above the current £5,000 threshold.

To consider how many people would be affected by proposals, we carried out some example calculations based on the circumstances of service users. Please note service user figures are indicative and change on a regular basis based on changes in services users’ circumstances. Cost increases provided are based on 2026/27 costs. If proposals were agreed:

Proposals

Who it would affect

1. Introduce a flat rate charge of £12 per week for service users above the capital threshold (£2000)

Around 90 service users in residential care would see an increase of £6.25 per week (around £325 per year)

Around 140 service users who live in the community would see an increase of £0.50 per week (around £26 per year)

2. Lower the capital threshold from £5000 to £2000

Around 70 service users who pay no fee would begin paying a £12 weekly charge (around £624 per year)

Around 80 service users with less than £2000 capital would not be affected, as they would continue to receive the service without charge.

3. Future annual reviews

All service users with a charge would be affected by any future annual increases in the charge, to ensure full cost recovery of the service into the future.

4. Vivo Care Choices Appointee Service

There are around 25 Vivo Appointee Service users.

The majority would be affected by the proposed flat rate charge and capital threshold and would begin paying a £12 weekly charge (around £624 per year).

A small number of service users with less than £2000 capital would not be affected and would continue to receive the service without charge.

Are there any alternatives to the proposals?

If charges are not increased to cover the full cost of delivering the service, the Council would no longer be able to continue the Corporate Appointee Service in the same way. For example, we would not be able to maintain services to an appropriate standard, and we would not be able to meet growing demand, which may mean that future service users would not be able to access the service.

Introducing the proposed changes to the way charges are applied would ensure full cost recovery, protecting the service into the future, so that the Council can continue to offer easy access to appropriate support for current and future service users who need it.

Alternative Appointee Services

Alternative Appointee services are offered by external providers in the private sector. A review of charges for alternative providers with published costs shows that costs range from approximately £10 to £18 per week, depending on whether the service user lives in residential care or the community.

Most other providers do not apply any capital threshold, therefore charges apply to everyone accessing the service. Some apply additional fees, such as a set-up fee. Some also offer a variety of levels of service from ‘standard’ to ‘elite’. Example, charges for three external providers with published costs are illustrated in the table below.

Provider

Residential care

Living in the community

Additional fees

Provider 1

£14.63 per week

£16.20 per week

None

Provider 2

£44 per month

(around £10.15 per week)

£77 per month

(around £17.77 per week)

£145 set-up fee

Provider 3

£45 per month (around £10.38 per week)

£55 per month (around £12.69 per week)

£55 annual banking fee

£150 refundable set-up fee


How people can share their views

There are a number of ways to share views and ideas:

  • Visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/AppointeeConsultation to access further information and fill in an online survey
  • You can also:
    • Read our easy read booklet and complete our easy read survey that uses simpler words and pictures – this is available online, or on request using the contact details below.
    • Request support from an advocacy service to take part in this consultation using the contact details below.
  • Email: AppointeeConsultation@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
  • Write to: Corporate Appointee Team, Cheshire West and Chester Council, The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA
  • Telephone: 0300 123 8123, quoting ‘Appointee Consultation’
  • Paper copies and alternative formats are available on request using the contact details above.

This consultation will be open for responses until 15 February 2026.

What will happen next

We will analyse all the feedback received in this consultation to help inform the proposals for the Appointee Service. The proposals will be considered alongside consultation findings in early 2026 to help inform a decision on proposals. We will share a summary of the consultation findings on the consultation website and explain how the key messages have influenced decisions. Any changes would take effect from 1 April 2026.