Dumfries and Galloway foster pay rates freeze advised
Dumfries and Galloway councillors are being advised not to implement a rate rise in foster carer allowances.
The Fostering Network has proposed an increase of 5.1% for the current financial year and 2.3% in 2012/13.
A report to Dumfries and Galloway Council says that would cost the local authority about £97,000.
It is advising the social services committee to make no increase in the allowances as being the most "financially viable" at the moment.
The issue has already gone before the local authority on a number of occasions.
An increase was rejected - on the casting vote of the social services committee chairman - when it was first discussed.
The matter was taken to a meeting of the full council which decided to ask the department to look again at finding some way to fund the increase.
A fresh report now puts a number of options to councillors which could see the Fostering Network's recommendations met in full or in part.
However, a freeze in the rates being paid remains the course of action being recommended by council officers.