A PUBLIC consultation on changes to the way Bromley Council charges people for adult social care is being launched.

For the first time, from next April people will have a personal budget which will mean they can see exactly how much they have to spend or contribute towards their support.

It will also enable them to see exactly how much their care costs.

The council wants to hear people’s views about this system which is expected to result in some people paying more money than they have before.

Over the next month service users, carers, voluntary and partner organisations will all receive a questionnaire and factsheet detailing the council’s proposals.

The personal budget proposal includes increasing charges for some services such as Homecare, Telecare and Care Link.

And charges will be introduced for services such as laundry, shopping and holiday breaks.

Portfolio holder for adult and community services Councillor Graham Arthur said: “We are proposing to give service users, real choice about how they spend their personal budget.

“In order to do this, we need to change how we cost and charge social care.

“Giving people the right to choose how they spend their personal budget to meet their specific needs means that previously free services will need to be costed.

“As well as a responsibility to the service user, we have a duty to the Bromley tax payer to make sure that all our services and support offer value for money.

”Making personal budgets available is the first step to making this happen.”

Go to bromley.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth for more information.