THE costs of care are set to go up in Huddersfield.

And the rises will be the second in little over 12 months.

Kirklees Council is expected to agree a rise in charges for looking after people in care homes and nursing homes.

The new charges – which would see a rise of about £20 a week, or £1,000 a year – will come into force on April 8.

It will take the minimum figure for a week’s care in a residential home to £436.18.

The most expensive charges in a nursing home would be £474.64.

The charges are those for independent homes and are paid for by Kirklees Council when it places people in the homes.

Some people qualify for a 100% contribution, but many others have to pay part or all of the fees, depending on their circumstances.

That could mean an elderly person or their family having to find more than £20,000 a year.

The council agreed the existing payments back in March 2012 and said at the time they were to cover the rise in minimum wage payments to care home staff.

The new proposals have to be approved by the council’s Cabinet, which is due to meet next Tuesday.

Talks have been held between council officials working with the social services teams and representatives of independent sector homes across the area.

The new increase is timed to coincide with a rise in pensions.

A report to the Cabinet says: “The report seeks approval for the proposed independent sector residential and nursing home fees for 2013/14.

“The weekly base fee has been calculated using the inflationary formula previously agreed by Cabinet.

“The council has given a commitment to independent sector providers that the impact of any increases in the national minimum wage will be reflected in the level of fees paid to them.

“Therefore should there be an increase in the national minimum wage in 2013, a further report will be submitted which will reflect the impact of the increase in them.”

The proposed fees vary between nursing and residential homes and between homes with provision for dementia care.

The proposed new maximum rates in nursing homes are £454.64 or £474.64, depending on dementia care.

In residential homes the maximum rates will be £436.18 and £456.18.