Nicola’s Blog – Stoke City Council
SCA CEO Nicola McLeish’s thoughts on The High Court ruling on annual care home fee increases for Stoke City Council
‘In a recent decision, the High Court ruled against Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s 1.4% annual increase in care home fees for 2024/25, deeming it unlawful and irrational. 
The court found that the council failed to adequately consider statutory guidance, inflationary pressures, and the actual costs of providing quality care.
Additionally, the decision breached the Public Sector Equality Duty by not assessing the potential discriminatory impact on elderly and disabled residents.
The judgment has emphasised the necessity for local authorities to conduct thorough consultations and to set fees that reflect the true cost of care, ensuring the sustainability of care homes and the well-being of residents, but it does not mean that other low fee increases from local authorities can be overturned.
Legal experts have advised caution, stating that it was the lawfulness of the decision taken that was judged against, and not how fair it is to our sector.’