RESIDENTS living in sheltered accommodation in the Bromsgrove district will pay an extra £6 a week service charge from July 1.

It is being introduced, on the Government's instructions, to cover the escalating costs of services such as wardens' salaries and laundry facilities.

Presently, they are subsidised by all other council tenants.

However, more than half will be totally exempt from the new charge and the majority of the remainder will qualify for financial help if in receipt of benefits.

Initially, the increases were set to be £8.50 to £13 a week depending on residents' circumstances but they were later reduced after consultations between tenants and council officers.

But, at Green Gables, in Wythall, the additional charge has been halved to £3 because of reduced warden cover.

At a Bromsgrove District Council policy and resources meeting on June 12, which discussed and approved the new charges, council chief executive Bob Lewis remarked that he was "nervous" that residents there had just one visit a week from a warden.

The committee also agreed to a comprehensive review of sheltered accommodation being undertaken and possible further cost reductions.

Council leader Cllr Nick Psirides (Con, Norton) said as part of the review the authority is keen to hear the views of tenants.

He and the council has received several letters from tenants complaining that some views put forward by their representatives are not shared by them all.

A report will be submitted to the council's cabinet regarding the introduction of charges for laundry and community room facilities in due course.