PENSIONERS in the city say they are sceptical about a £20 council tax discount.

The ruling Labour Group at Nottingham City Council says the tax relief will cost the authority £300,000.

Deputy leader of the council Coun Graham Chapman said the discount was aimed at low-income pensioners.

The initiative is part of the city council's budget proposals for the next financial year, which begins on April 1.

However, pensioners groups say while "every little helps", they fear the elderly will be hit by other measures.

Dennis Andrews, of the Nottingham Elders' Forum, said: "You have to say any contribution to pensioners is welcome but this is a bit like shops that put their prices up and then announce a reduction."

The city council's budget plans include a 2.9% increase in council tax, which will increase the bill for a band A home by £25.

In addition, there will be a 3% increase in charges for home care, taking the hourly rate up from £8.90 to £9.20, up to a maximum of £81 a week.

The price of meals at home will increase at a similar rate, taking the charge to £2.60 per meal.

It is proposed to introduce a charge of £2 per day to attend day centres, though it is estimated about one third of the 1,250 people who use them will be exempt from the fee, while a weekend day centre at The Willows, in Beechdale, will be reviewed.

Mr Andrews said: "The discount is part of a wider issue where they are introducing charges in other areas. It is a bit like giving with one hand and taking away with the other."

Roy Tomlinson, of the Nottingham Pensioners' Action Group agreed.

He said: "Twenty quid is twenty quid but at the same time it will not make a lot of difference. Every little helps, but this is a little."

He gave the initiative "a very qualified welcome", adding: "I think it is a pre-election wheeze. I can't see it as anything else."

Among other budget proposals the council wants to pursue are the closure of Beechdale Library on March 31 and the closure of Riverside Care Home.

The city council received 725 responses to its consultation.

It has dropped plans to increase charges for telecare – an on-call telephone service for older people – and it is reviewing plans to alter day services for people with learning disabilities.

The council is seeking to find more than £18m of savings in the coming year.

It said it would continue to accept and consider any representations on the budget up to its ratification at a meeting of the full council on March 8.

charles.walker@nottighameveningpost.co.uk