MANY residents using council care services are paying the same, or less, for their help than last year, it has been revealed.

An assessment of more than 1,100 people using services such as home help, but still living in their own home, has shown an estimated 66 per cent of them will be paying the same amount as last year or less.

In January councillors approved a new policy for fairer charging for non-residential care services, which came into effect in April.

Swindon Council's social services managers are in the process of sending out letters to people who use non-residential care services to advise them of changes to the amount they will pay.

Where the charges are lower than before, arrangements will be made to refund overpayments. And if the assessment has shown an increase in charge it will become effective immediately.

Swindon Council spokeswoman Sarah Deacon said: "There is no general percentage increase or decrease for everyone. The assessment was based on people's ability to pay and the actual cost of service and is intended to ensure the charge is as fair as possible."

"The council will be analysing the impact these changes will have for people that use the services and the social services budget."