A PRICING policy has been agreed between east Cleveland's independent nursing homes and the council.

A working party, made up of Redcar and east Cleveland borough councillors, and members of the independent care providers, has reached a settlement on offer prices for the forthcoming financial year. There are already plans for working party talks aimed at extending the agreement into a second and third year.

Pat Harford, the council's member for social services and health, said: "We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with our independent providers - one of the first authorities in the region to do so.

"The settlement reflects the council's belief that we are now coming closer to meeting the true cost of care in the independent sector."

Philip Wallwork, owner of the Castle Court nursing and residential home, in Boosbeck, said: "We recognise the value of a partnership approach to a difficult problem carried out under stringent budget conditions.