AN extra £170,000 will be spent by the council to meet the increasing demand for homecare.

The executive board unanimously approved a recommendation to provide another three per cent to domiciliary care for the 2016-17 period at last Tuesday's meeting at the Town Hall.

Up to 5.6 million is projected to be spent on provision by the authority this year to deliver between 25,000 to 30,000 hours per month to around 800 service users.

But it is estimated that costs could rise by as much as six per cent in the next year.

The additional three per cent has been considered as part of the budget setting process and is set to be funded by the two percent council tax precept for social care.

In her report to members Pat Wright, executive board member for statutory health and adult social care, said the 'increase in demand' has largely been met so far.

She added: "One of the council's statutory duties is to make arrangements to provide for adults who by reason of age, illness, disability, or any other circumstance, are in need of care and attention, including where this is support to continue to live at home or in the community.

"This duty is now almost entirely discharged by the council contracting with external providers of such care services.

"Availability of good quality, sustainable and quickly available domiciliary care is essential and hugely advantageous to our whole health and care system.

"It supports good outcomes for those that need assistance to live at home, enabling for example prevention, rehabilitation, and timely discharge from hospital.

"Further to the positive outcomes for individuals, it is a cost efficient and effective alternative to residential and nursing care.

"Demand for domiciliary care has risen significantly in the last 12 months from 27,593 hours per month in March 2015 to almost 32,000 hours at its highest point in October to November 2015."

Council leader Terry O'Neill also highlighted the need to allocate further funds to the area.

He added: "We are increasing spend to care providers but not charging them – we are not putting our prices up by three per cent.

"We are giving them an extra three per cent for the service."

As well as voting to increase domiciliary care spending by three per cent, which will raise overall spending by around £170,000, the executive board backed a recommendation requiring officers to continue to 'review and monitor' fees throughout 2016-17.