THE COST of day care for adults in York is set to almost double as City of York Council battles to balance its books.

The proposed rise from £1.70 to £3 for a day/session is part of the authority's bid to save £6 million amid claims it has been shortchanged by the Government.

Higher home care and transport costs for older people are also on the cards along with job cuts. It is understood that up to ten jobs could be lost, including currently vacant posts, to save more than £100,000.

Personal home care costs are set to increase from £11.90 per hour to £14 per hour - the cost to the council is £17. Each person will be assessed to determine how much they can afford towards their care.

Transport costs will rise from £1.10 a day to £1.20.

A revised contracting process for home care services could also generate savings of £110,000.

Merging management for in-house home care and extra care services could save a further £35,000 and another £43,000 from merging management arrangements for the Huntington Road Day Centre supported employment services and transport.

The measures will help save £682,000 for Social Services and Health as the council strives to reduce its budget.

York's total government grant for 2006/07 is £37.1million - an increase of 3.2 per cent.

Council bosses say it does not address all the cost pressures, and they are looking to make savings of £6 million.

Coun Sue Galloway, social services chief, said: "We are trying to protect front line services and jobs. That's a challenge, but we have found some efficiencies. That will come from reducing backroom staff and support and we will also undertake some very deep reviews of services."

But at the same time, the council is planning to invest in new services to enable residents to retain their independence by staying in their own homes for longer.

There is also likely to be major investment in facilities at Windsor House, Ascot Way, with eight new beds created for elderly residents with mental health problems.

The council's eligibility criteria for services will not change, which Coun Galloway said made York among the most generous in the country.

Coun Galloway said: "We want to provide modern facilities for our social services users. That is set against a background of us being shortchanged by Government when the proposed grant is inadequate to sustain existing services in some areas and we have to cater for increasing numbers of people needing support."

The council executive will consider the proposals on February 17.

The budget goes before full council on March 1.

Updated: 09:22 Saturday, January 21, 2006