RESIDENTS of Mid Cheshire could be forced to pay more to receive social services.

Cheshire County Council is considering raising social service charges to generate an extra £750,000 a year.

If the proposals go through, the charges will hit everyone who pays for any form of home help.

Ideas being considered include a rise in the price of meals served in day centres and delivered in home from £2.11 to £2.50 and a rise in transport fees to day centres from 75p to £1.

There may also be a change in a financial formula which caps the level of disposable income used to assess charges for people with limited financial means.

But county councillor Brendan Doyle, Labour's social services and health spokesman, said he can't believe the proposals are even being considered.

He said: 'The Conservative administration is now putting together its proposals for next year's budget and it could decide to implement all its ideas.

'I am totally against them because they will affect around 5,000 adults and older people in Cheshire, many of whom are vulnerable and rely on us for support and help.

'I fully appreciate that the number of people attending day centres or needing home care is on the increase, but these proposals come just a year after the charges were studied in detail.

'We need a full debate on the issue so the implications of these proposals are known.'

Labour group leader Derek Bateman raged: 'It's an absolute disgrace.

'Basically, this is rationing of services.

'The people who get a care package from the council already meet very tight criteria, so tightening that further and making them pay more is just ludicrous.

'It will cause a lot of anxiety to many vulnerable people and their families, who just cannot afford to pay so much more.

'We will be on stand-by to write to everyone taking part, as we did a year ago, because it is very important that they make their views known so that the county council understands the full implications of these proposals.'

Alex Major, from Age Concern Cheshire's Hartford HQ, said the proposals will mean many older people struggle.

She said: 'A rise such as this is quite a substantial amount when older people are receiving a range of care services, either in their home or in a daycare setting.

'Many older people may struggle to pay the increase in their charges and therefore may suffer as a result.'

She also urged people to check their benefits entitlement to ensure they are getting all they are entitled to.

She said: 'Some older people are unaware of the welfare benefits that they are entitled to that can offset costs of home and day centre care.'

Cllr Lynn Hardwick, executive member for social services, defended the move.

She said: 'Our social services provision was given a two-star rating. What we don't want to do is cut the quality of the service.' Age Concern Cheshire's Information and Advice Service can be contacted on 01606 881668 for information, advice and support.