The increasing cost in social care is putting strain on Bexley Council as they prepare to debate the council’s upcoming budget.

The councillors will meet on January 23 where they will also debate setting next year’s council tax, which will be set on March 1.

Almost half of the Council’s gross revenue spend will be targeted on supporting vulnerable adults and children.

The report to be submitted to cabinet explains how an increasing number of vulnerable adults and children in the borough is increasing costs for the council.

To attempt ease the increased cost, the council plans to invest more in areas of prevention that will reduce costs in the longer term and more universal services.

Staffing costs have been much higher than anticipated last year to deal with the increasing demand for adult social care services.

Newly qualified social workers aren’t being recruited at a fast enough rate and the council are having to use agency staff in the difficult to fill front line posts.

However, this is mirrored by a reduction in long term care costs as more people live independently, reducing the demand for expensive residential provision.

Don Massey, cabinet members for finance and corporate services, said: “We have a good record of delivering savings, with 95% either achieved or on track for the current financial year.

“The longer-term position remains challenging. The success of our new growth strategy will be crucial to balancing the budget and paying for services in the future.”

Teresa O’Neill, council leader, said: “Managing the council’s finances well is key to providing local services and we are optimistic that we will be able to close the budget gap for 2017/18.

“The good news is that our financial planning is working well and we have managed to achieve some savings ahead of schedule.

“This means we can invest in prevention, to reduce costs in the longer-term, and keeping the borough clean.”