A COST cutting consultation could result in a better service for adult social care clients, according to council health bosses.

Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) is investigating different ways of running transport to day centres across the area in a bid to save money.

At its latest meeting, members of CWAC’s health and wellbeing scrutiny committee heard that the 12-week consultation so far has involved speaking to every one of the council’s 428 clients and will include consulting each of the 30 centres they attend.

Clr Brenda Dowding, executive member for adult social care and health, told the meeting that clients had raised concerns about the current £1.7m service operated by the council’s passenger fleet of cars and minibuses.

She said clients had complained about the length of time they were ‘trailed round’ on the vehicle because of the circuitous routes necessary to collect them at home and drop off at the day centres.

“It is important to realise that we are not starting from the point where we have an ideal situation” she said.

“Yes, we have to reduce the costs but we can also make things better for individuals as well as achieving our objective.”

She added: “We believe a new and more personal approach is required where individuals will work with the council to identify their transport needs and agree suitable alternatives to current provision.

“CWAC will fund transport for social care users only in exceptional circumstances where there is no suitable or appropriate alternative.”

Alternative ways of providing the service could include community transport, concessionary travel, disability living allowance, dial-a-ride and Plus Bus, voluntary transport schemes and direct payment.

The consultation ends on Friday, January 24.

For more information visit cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.