Decision Maker: Head of Crawley Homes
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
It was proposed to increase
the Lifeline charges by 10% for the financial year 2023/24. This is
5% above the Council wide price increase for fees and changes which
has been agreed at 5%.
This price increase is in line with current inflation figures and
would bring the cost of the lifeline unit and pendant to
£4.40 per week (40p per week increase). This increase would
continue to ensure the service is competitively priced against our
main competitors.
All customers will be switched to a new Digital Lifeline in the
next two years. This will involve capital expenditure of 120,000
pounds over the next two financial years. In order to make the project viable the aim is to reach a target fee for the
Lifeline of £4.75 per week by 2025/2026.
Due to the current volatility of inflation rates we are unable to predict future inflation
levels. However, it is recognised that inflation levels may reduce
in subsequent years. This will mean the target income of
£4.75 by 2025 2026 will easily achieved with lower % price
increases in subsequent years.
This decision has been taken following full consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing who gave approval for this price increase following a briefing meeting on 7th December 2022.
Not implementing this price rise would see the
income from Lifeline eroded by inflation at a time when the service
is make a considerable capital investment to ensure that the
Lifeline service is future proofed going forward.
Ensuring that the Lifeline is still competitively priced against
our competitors who provide a similar service. Crawley Lifeline is
still has the lowest charge to its customers compared to other
providers in the area.
Publication date: 01/02/2023
Date of decision: 07/12/2022