More residents may have to pay for their own care after the launch of a consultation into the future of adult social services.

Sutton Council believes that changes made in the Care Act will affect people living in residential care or nursing homes, those who receive social care services and others who pay for their own care.

As a result the authority said it will have to cover the cost of the act's changes, without additional funding from the Government.

Administrators will now take into account war pensions and war disablement pensions when calculating how much a person can afford to pay towards the cost of their support.

It will no longer accept a couple for a combined assessment, and will assess everyone individually.

Councillor Colin Stears, chairman of the adult social services and health committee, said: "We want to hear from as many residents as possible about what they think about the tough choices we are facing to fund adult services in the borough.

"The purpose of the consultation is not for the council to benefit from any new charges introduced, but to cover the cost of administering some of the new requirements.

"As our budget will not be increased to cover these costs, if people who can afford to pay for services are not asked to do so, there will be less money available to pay for services for people who cannot afford to buy them themselves.

"Should we not make changes, the costs will have to be met in other ways. This could have an effect on the level of services we can offer, or on the Council Tax, or possibly both."

The 12-week consultation will run until February 21 and residents will be able to voice their opinions on the Sutton's Future website, or by attending one of eight meetings.

Consultation meetings will be held on:

  • January 18 at 10.30am in the Wallington's Trinity Centre, and at 7.30pm in Room 1 of the civic offices in Sutton town centre.
  • January 20 at 10.30am in Room 1 of the civic offices in Sutton town centre
  • January 21 at 2pm in Christ Church in Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park.
  • January 26 at 10.30am in Christ Church in Ruskin Drive, Worcester Park. 
  • January 27 at 2pm in Wallington's Trinity Centre. 
  • January 27 at 7.30pm in Room 1 of the civic offices in Sutton town centre.
  • January 28 at 2pm in Room 1 of the civic offices in Sutton town centre.