Social care charges delayed again amid council funding review

A decision on the potential rollout of controversial new social care charges in East Renfrewshire has been pushed back again.

- DREW SANDELANDS

The planned introduction of means-tested £20 per hour fees for nonresidential care - which covers activities like help with shopping, housework or travel - has sparked opposition from families and carers, who are concerned about the impact on the elderly and disabled.

Councillors agreed to defer the charges, originally set to come into force in July this year, in February. They chose to revisit the plan this month ahead of a proposed rollout in April next year.

At a meeting on Wednesday, East Renfrewshire Council voted to defer a decision on the proposal to charge for the services until December at the earliest.

They made the call as local government body COSLA is set to consider how funding for adult social care is allocated to councils. It could increase the amount of money available to some local authorities.

Council leader Owen O'Donnell, Labour, said deferring the decision would "allow officers to understand the implications of any changes to distribution and to brief members before any final decision is made".