THE AMOUNT of money which people pay for various social services in Pembrokeshire might change following a county wide consultation.

Pembrokeshire County Council is suggesting a number of changes to Social Services charges including a £1.40 an hour increase in home and community support from £14.60 to £16.

Attendance at council run day and social activity centres could go from £23.70 to £26.53 while attendance at externally provided centres could be up to £31.30 per day. Charges for a council care home residential place could increase from £395 a week to £445.

According to a report by the director of social services and leisure the changes are necessary to take into account the national living wage, inflation and to ensure consistency with other services that are charged at full cost and with external provision.

The Welsh Government has set the maximum weekly charge for non - residential services at £70 per week, while a financial assessment is used to calculate the maximum amount a person will pay for residential care.

Council customers will be asked to provide details of their finances so that the authority can calculate how much their weekly contribution should be.

Before any changes are made the council wants to find out the views of members of the public.

Surveys are being sent out to more than 3,200 people who currently use social services.

People can also fill in their views online from early July on the council's website: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/haveyoursay

Drop - in sessions are also being held at the Bloomfield Centre , Narberth, on July 17, 2pm until 6pm; the Pembrokeshire Archives , Haverfordwest, on Thursday , July 20, 2 pm to 6 pm; the Picton Centre, Haverfordwest, on Tuesday, August 1, from 5 pm to 8 pm; Wed 2nd August, 2pm to 6pm: Milford Haven Town Hall (Murray Suite); Pembroke Leisure Centre on Tuesday, August 8, from 10am to 1pm and Fishguard Town Hall on Wednesday, August 30 from 10am to 1 pm.

"We understand that people using our services may find any proposed changes to charges unsettling. Although we predict that most people who are currently not paying for services will be unaffected," said Councillor Tessa Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Social Services.

"However, it is really important that people make their voices heard. I would urge people to complete the questionnaire and attend the drop in sessions so we can get an accurate picture of the impact that any changes may have on the people that matter."