Despite this year's almost unprecedented budget pressures, Cumbria County Council has focused on its priorities and will invest an extra £4.4 million in Adult Social Care services over the next twelve months.
In line with other local authorities, we are also introducing a new £10 charge for day care services (from October 2007) which will be means-tested with only those who can afford to contribute, asked to contribute.
This will result in about 30 per cent of users paying nothing, 50 per cent paying a portion and 20 per cent paying the full charge.
Moreover, the day care charge will be set against a person's full package of care and therefore those who are already paying at the limit for other services, will pay nothing further.
Day care users are also being offered a free benefits check to help them make sure they are receiving all the financial support to which they are entitled.
All the money raised through the new day care charge will be ploughed back in to services which give people the choice and freedom to do more of the activities they want; whether that is help with shopping, socialising with friends or the countless number of other things people choose to do with their time.
For more information about the charges, see the 'more information' box on the right.