"Grave concerns" over increase in Home Care charges

5.52.11pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 22nd Jan 2008

Statement from the Liberal Democrat Members of the Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel following the meeting of the panel this afternoon:

"During today's meeting we questioned the proposed 74% increase in Home Care charges. We accept that service users should pay the actual cost of the care they receive, providing that they are in a position to pay for it. However we have grave concerns that this proposed immediate increase of 74% will place up to 90 service users in a difficult financial position.

"We wanted to instruct Conservative Cabinet Member, Cllr Vic Prichard, not to increase the charges by 74%, but unfortunately the Overview and Scrutiny panel does not have that authority. The Liberal Democrat Group was unable to support the draft recommendations and as a result of this the Overview and Scrutiny panel did not move to a vote and will therefore formally "express concerns" over the proposed increase.

"Cllr Vic Prichard was at the meeting and is therefore now fully aware of the strength of our concerns."