Your views on our proposal to charge for the council’s money management (Appointee) service

Overview

In this consultation we are asking for your views on our proposal to introduce administrative charges where Norfolk County Council are asked to manage the benefit money of adults that are unable to manage their own finances.  

Norfolk County Council (NCC) provides an Appointeeship service, for people using social care services, who are unable to manage their benefit money. We currently do not charge an administrative fee for this service. This consultation therefore relates to NCC’s proposal to cover its costs by charging for this service.

NCC, like other local authorities across the country, needs to make significant budget savings while continuing to provide vital social care services for its residents.

Most local authorities provide a money management service for adult social care clients who are unable to manage their benefit money, and have no family members or other responsible person who can manage their money appropriately on their behalf.

The Council is not required by law to provide this service, but recognises the importance of supporting vulnerable people to effectively manage their benefit money and to protect them from potential, or actual, financial abuse.

Why your views matter

We want to find out what people think about our proposal to introduce an administration fee to look after the money of adult social care clients who are unable to manage their own benefit money.

We would like to know what you think about the proposals outlined in this consultation.  

We are consulting through:

  • The online consultation, which is also available as a paper copy and in different formats
  • Easy Read version of the consultation sent to all clients receiving a Norfolk County Council social care service living in both residential and community settings
  • Email / letter to care providers and voluntary organisations that support clients that are, or in the future may be, affected by the proposed changes
  • Email communication to care assessment staff at NCC
  • Online and face to face engagement events - please see details below

The consultation runs from Monday 3 August 2026 and closes at midnight on Monday 12 October 2026.

Please note that if we receive any consultation responses after this date, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to take them into account.

If you need a copy of this consultation document in a different format, please email HaveYourSay@norfolk.gov.uk, call 0344 800 8020 or Text Relay on 18001 0344 800 8020 (textphone) and we will do our best to help.

The consultation questions should take about 15 minutes to complete. 

How we will make our decision and report back to you

We will take a report about the findings of this consultation to the Norfolk County Council's Cabinet meeting in December 2026.

Our county councillors will consider the consultation responses we receive very carefully. In particular, they will take into account:

 
  • The impact of any proposal on individuals, groups or communities and in particular on people identified as having 'protected characteristics' under the Equality Act 2010. The protected characteristics are: age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; and sexual orientation
  • The views of people and stakeholders consulted
  • The evidence of need and what is proven to work effectively and well.
  • The financial and legal positions and any constraints at the time
  • Any potential alternative options, models or ideas for generating income or making savings

Your opinions are valuable to us. Thank you for taking the time to read this and respond.

Give us your views

Closes 12 Oct 2026

Opened 3 Aug 2026

Events

  • Online session - for providers (care homes/agencies/stakeholders)

    From 8 Sep 2026 at 17:00 to 8 Sep 2026 at 18:00
    Location Email haveyoursay@norfolk.gov.uk for a link to join

    Join our online session where you can talk to us to find out more, and ask any questions you may have.

    When: Tuesday 8 September
    Time: Start is at 5pm, with a presentation then lots of time for questions and answers

  • Online session - for clients (people who use the service and carers/family)

    From 11 Sep 2026 at 11:00 to 11 Sep 2026 at 12:00
    Location Email haveyoursay@norfolk.gov.uk for a link to join

    Join our online session where you can talk to us to find out more, and ask any questions you may have.

    When: Friday 11 September
    Time: Start is at 11am, with a presentation then lots of time for questions and answers

  • Drop-in session

    From 11 Sep 2026 at 14:00 to 11 Sep 2026 at 15:00
    Location Green Room, Archive Centre, County Hall, NR1 2DH

    Come and talk to us to find out more, and ask any questions you may have.

    Where: The session will be in the Green Room, Archive Centre, County Hall, NR1 2DH
    When: Friday 11 September
    Time: Start is at 2pm with a presentation, but you’re welcome to drop in any time between 2-3pm.

    Here's a link for information on how to get to the Archive Centre: https://www.archives.norfolk.gov.uk/article/30907/How-to-get-here

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • Carers
  • People who use our services
  • Service providers
  • Voluntary groups and organisations

Interests

  • Social services and social care
  • Voluntary & Community Sector