Call to reconsider charges for alert devices

Plans to charge fees to some of the 2,000 people in Shropshire who depend on devices like personal alarms will be challenged.

Shropshire Council decided earlier this month to bill users about £3.50 a week for the telecare service, generating £250,000 each year. The fees will start in October.

But the decision has been "called in" for review by Green and Progressive Independent councillors, supported by Labour.

While a meeting on Wednesday cannot overturn the decision, councillors said they wanted to examine the "full impact" of charging. Green leader Julian Dean said his group wanted to test the robustness of the decision.

The authority, led by Liberal Democrats since May's election, has said 80% of its budget is spent on social care.

Widespread cuts are already in the pipeline to fund a multi-million pound budget shortfall.

Dean said the council should examine how effective the service was in reducing injuries and falls.

When the new policy was proposed, a council report said the introduction of the charges would "help to secure future service provision and enable ongoing investment in new technologies".

It also noted Shropshire was "one of very few councils" not already charging for the service.

The authority argues fees would improve the service's sustainability, and therefore help keep vulnerable residents in their homes.

The body examining the decision on Wednesday, the People Overview Scrutiny Committee, has a majority of members from the ruling Liberal Democrat group.

However, the Greens and Labour said agreeing to a fuller review might improve the policy and reduce any negative impact.

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