DISABLED and elderly people relying on home care in York could escape a steep price hike.

Liberal Democrats will this week urge City of York Council to set an increase in line with the rise in state pensions of 1.1 per cent.

It follows angry reaction to its decision earlier this year to raise charges for domestic support service for those on means-tested benefits from £2.90 an hour to £4.75.

Nearly ten per cent of people receiving the support withdrew from the service.

Liberal Democrat Coun Sue Galloway will make the proposal at tomorrow's full council meeting.

She will say: "In view of adverse customer reaction to the substantial increases in home care charges, the council resolves in principle to reduce the increases to a level in line with the per cent increases in state pensions and income support."

The Conservative group will also ask the council to look at different options available to stop the increase, accepted when this year's budget was discussed.

Proposals will include reverting to last year's charges.

The Liberal Democrats will also propose that a formal link between Dunnington and Elvington primary schools and Fulford Secondary School be re-established, following a campaign by parents.

And they will ask that discretionary rate relief be granted to qualifying rural general stores and post offices.

The proposal was rejected at the last full council meeting but, since two by-election victories by the Liberal Democrats, the council's make-up has been changed so that the leading Labour group can now be beaten by a united opposition.

Liberal Democrat leader Steve Galloway has already stated he will ask the council to accept that the threatened Barbican and Yearsley swimming pools will remain, and to look at ways of funding them.

The Conservatives will ask for more financial information about the pools.

Wednesday's meeting will also decide membership of the council's new-style cabinet system of Government.