A CABINET decision to charge the full cost of residential care for the elderly with savings of £19,500 was given a second airing in Darlington on Tuesday.

Coun Eric Roberts and two Tory colleagues called back the proposal to a special meeting of the council's social services scrutiny committee, because they were concerned that extra staff would be needed to carry out means testing.

But, after hearing that four extra people had already been taken on, the committee decided to simply monitor how speedily the assessments were carried out.

The change, introduced under the Government's fairer charging policy, was implemented on Wednesday and will affect new and present social services clients.

The cabinet had heard on September 9 that 23 people already in residential care in Darlington would be required to pay the full charge once the new ceiling for capital was introduced.

Coun Charles Johnson (Con) said: "It seems grossly unfair to me that prudent people are penalised at the end of the day and have to pay. It is really redistribution of wealth and nothing more."

Coun Heather Scott said her concern was that the assessment could cause delays in elderly people being admitted to residential homes.

But Margaret Asquith, director of social services, said the aim was to get the assessments done as speedily as possible.