Blackburn with Darwen Council is to introduce a fee for its telecare service, which helps keep elderly and vulnerable residents safe in their own homes, for the first time.
The new flat rate charge of £1.70 a week, for monitoring services for users who have remotely supervised equipment, will take effect from October 1.
Cllr Jackie Floyd, the authority's adult social care boss, admits the service helps keep residents independent but says the costs of moving telecare to a fully digital, preventative service mean the new fee is unavoidable.
She claimed some users take advantage of the scheme because it is free rather than because they need it.
Blackburn with Darwen is the last local authority in the North-West to introduce a charge for telecare.
However, Conservative spokesperson Cllr Mark Russell has accused the council's Labour bosses of 'greed'.
The dispute mirrors a similar row when Conservative-run Lancashire County Council introduced a charge for its telecare in September.
Then, Labour councillors warned the new fee could 'cost lives' and have a 'massive impact on ambulances, GPs, hospitals and social care'.
In her executive decision notice, Cllr Floyd said: "Telecare is an important means of assistance to support people to stay independent in their own home for longer.
"Telecare has become a firmly integrated part of the support and care that is offered to people in Blackburn with Darwen, putting people more in control and supporting their independence.
"It encourages self-care, keeps residents mobile, provides early warning if a fall has taken place, enables trends to be established and reduces unplanned admissions into hospital services."
She revealed that in 2022/23 telecare equipment cost £246,395.18 and its installation, repair and monitoring cost £74,499.07 while it covered 3,562 residents.
Cllr Floyd's report says: "The way in which telecare is currently being delivered is not fully achieving the council’s objectives.
"There is evidence service users have opted to accept the service in part because it is free and not always because it significantly addresses their care needs.
"The telecare service is moving to a fully digital, preventative service, with an improved range of monitoring and alarm capabilities to meet a far greater range of needs. This does come at a significant capital cost.
"Digitising the service cannot be undertaken without the need to introduce a weekly customer charge."
Cllr Russell said: "I'm very disappointed Labour's waste, mismanagement and greed has led to a point where the council is introducing charging for a service vital to helping some of the most vulnerable people in society.
"Labour will be increasing council tax by the maximum amount so the cost of telecare should easily be covered by that.
"Labour would not need to introduce this charge if they had not tied the taxpayer into paying £400,000 a year for the upper two floors of Albion Mill, which have proven not fit for purpose and a seriously under-used white elephant."
Cllr Floyd said: “Like all councils we are having to take tough decisions.
“I would point out that the government expects us to raise council tax.
“Telecare is really important for many vulnerable people and the council is committed to using technology to support people to remain independent at home.
“Most local authorities charge for the monitoring of telecare services and the Blackburn with Darwen charge is actually the lowest weekly rate in the region. We don’t charge for the telecare equipment.
“These charges have nothing to do with the claims made around Albion Mill.
"The intermediate care service has been highly-praised in the two years since it opened.
"There have been difficulties around the occupancy of the two upper floors and a full review has been carried out resulting in decisive action.
"There will now be a single provider and clear plans are in place to maximise the occupancy over the coming months.”
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