Summonses for disabled 'a first'

Other authorities have floated the idea - but backed down after a public outcry.

The Telegraph & Argus revealed last week how the Council planned to go to court to recover £220,000 in unpaid charges for day care and home care services.

The money is owed by 150 people, including people with learning difficulties and pensioners, who owe sums ranging from £200 to £2,000.

Everyone else - 97 per cent of service users - have paid up, and social services bosses are to pursue the other three per cent of their clients for the cash. Senior officials were due to meet today to authorise the sending out of Final Demand notices and if people still refuse to pay, court summonses could follow in a few weeks' time.

Nick Huber, of Community Care magazine, the social workers' specialist journal, said: "Other councils have tried this but often have to back down quite a bit. Bradford are taking a hard line approach and seem to be hoping that most people will cough up. I understand that Bradford will be the first authority to issue summonses to people with learning difficulties - if they go ahead with it."

The idea of suing elderly and disabled people to recover unpaid charges was mooted at Shropshire County Council but local politicians dropped the idea after consulting the public.

A Shropshire Council spokesman said: "It was considered, but after an extensive consultation, a decision was taken to recoup the money by other means, and the charges for meals were raised instead."

Today Philip Lewer, assistant director of social services, said: "It isn't officers who make the final decision, it's politicians."

The Council has set up a special helpline to deal with queries over charges.

Anyone who believes they owe money is urged to contact (01274) 757975 or (01535) 618109 as soon as possible to discuss payment options.

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