Plan to start charging for telecare services

If approved, the charges will come into effect from 1 October

Shropshire Council is planning to charge some of the 2,000 residents who rely on technology like personal alarms and fall detectors for the service.

Most other councils, including Telford and Wrekin, already charge a fee for telecare.

If approved, residents considered able to pay would be charged about £3.50 a week, which the Liberal Democrat-run administration said would generate almost £250,000 a year.

The council's cabinet will meet on 11 June to discuss the proposal to start charging from 1 October.

A report drawn up for the meeting said the introduction of the charges would "help to secure future service provision and enable ongoing investment in new technologies".