FEARS have been raised over the future of Poole’s day centres after some users saw the cost of their care leap almost 600 per cent.

Dwindling numbers, caused by the absence of those unable to afford the new charges, could lead to the closure of centres, it has been claimed.

Poole council said it was committed to protecting frontline services for its most vulnerable residents and there were no immediate plans to shut centres.

But Cllr Mike Brooke, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition in Poole, said he had “serious concerns” for the centres as the impact of the rise in charges was felt.

He said: “Residents faced with dramatic increases for transport and day centre use are clearly going to think twice before attending in the future.

“As the number of users decreases in Poole, it is likely they will look to close the centres.”

Around 50 people have already indicated they will opt out of day care due to the new charges.

Cllr Peter Adams, the council’s member for adult social care, admitted it was difficult to predict what was going to happen with the centres in the future.

But he insisted closing them was a long way down the council’s list of priorities.

“There is no hidden agenda,” said Cllr Adams.

“There are no plans to shut any services.

“I can see a continuing demand for them. We have new people coming in all the time.”

The new charges have been calculated through the government’s Fairer Contributions guidance for local authorities.

Individuals are means-tested and asked to make a single contribution towards the cost of their care, based on their ability to pay.

Cllr Adams stressed the poorest users would still have their costs met and the removal of subsidies had merely highlighted a group capable of contributing more to their care.

But Cllr Brooke argued the sudden rises could be phased in over two years to soften the impact.

“Some residents have been faced with increases of 600 per cent and this is clearly unacceptable,” he said.