1General power to charge for care services

(1)

A local authority in Wales which provides, or makes arrangements for the provision of, a chargeable service may (but does not have to) impose a reasonable charge for the service.

(2)

A reasonable charge is such amount as the authority concerned determines reasonable.

(3)

But subsections (1) and (2) are subject to—

(a)

section 2 (maximum charges);

(b)

section 3 (persons and services in respect of which charges must not be imposed);

(c)

section 8(1) (effect of determinations as to ability to pay); and

(d)

any regulations made by the Welsh Ministers under section 16 of the Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc) Act 2003 (c. 5) (free provision of services in Wales).

(4)

A local authority has the power to recover a charge imposed under this section.

(5)

Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (4), a charge imposed under this section may be recovered summarily as a civil debt.