With no start to adult social care reform in sight and a suspicion that any legislative changes will only be about charging for adult social care – the challenge is on for councils to find ever more inventive ways of preventing the need for health and care while being more responsive to changing demand.

This is even more pressing in places like Bradford where the shifting financial burden of adult social care is towards local council tax payers. With higher unemployment, council tax receipts are projected to be lower this year which will impact on the adult social care precept. The Government has reduced central grants and suppression of the Minimum Income Guarantee and capital thresholds has led to a stealthy increase in care charges to people. Councils with lower council tax receipts and arguably higher need are left with even less money to meet rising demand.