COUNCILLORS will be asked to approve a funding boost of almost £3m for Wirral's adult social care sector when cabinet meets later this month.

A report due to be heard at Wallasey Town Hall on Monday, March 26, recommends increased payments totalling £2.9 million for the coming year from April.

The extra cash will focus on boosting payments to care homes and higher payments for those who provide care to our most vulnerable residents in their own homes.

Cabinet member for social care and health, Cllr Christine Jones, said today that most of the adult social care precept – an additional 2% of council tax – would be used to support care providers.

Cllr Jones added: "We have carried out extensive consultation with those providing adult social care across the borough, talking to them about the best way we can support them to look after our vulnerable residents.

"So I'm proud to be able to announce we're spending almost £3million on ensuring Wirral's care providers are better able to continue to provide the essential care for thousands of people across Wirral."

The cabinet report Fee Setting for 2018/19 recommends an increase in the fees paid to domiciliary care providers – those who care for people in their own homes – of more than 7%.

The increase is intended to help community care providers who must travel between appointments throughout the day.

Further increases are also proposed for residential care and supported living services.

The cabinet report said "responsive and timely" care services support those who need help to remain in their community, and can avoid or minimise the need for "acute" – hospital – services.