COUNCIL leader Nick Psirides dubbed the new charges "fair" even though it would mean tenants missing out on a "Rolls Royce" service in a bid to make the books balance.

At the press conference the new charges for sheltered housing tenants were announced.

Cllr Psirides (Con, Norton) said after explain and consult sessions with tenants it became clear services provided were of a much higher standard than residents need or want to pay for.

For example the laundry service is used by few who should be charged by coin operated machines and a full time warden presence is considered unnecessary.

A root and branch review of all sheltered accommodation services is set to take place - a report is to be received by members of the housing and planning scrutiny committee tomorrow night - and officers are set to report back at the end of the year.

District secretary Bob Lewis said the authority was rather late in imposing the separated charges.