Local councils may cut back on welfare for the elderly if council coffers are at a low ebb, according to a ruling by the Eastern High Court.

Ældre Sagen, which is an association for older citizen rights, took Køge local council to court to determine whether a council must continue to help citizens depending on their needs, or whether the council can cut back on welfare in connection with an austerity drive.

The case has been seen as one of countrywide principle in determining the necessary level of local council services.

Ældre Sagen originally took the case to court because Køge Council cut home help services to older citizens in 2010 due to an austerity budget.

The organisation argued that a council should not be able to remove services that have been awarded because a citizen is deemed needy, simply because council coffers are empty. One of the two cases raised, was that of an 86-year-old woman whose home help service was cut from one hour to half an hour every two weeks.

The council has argued that it would not be able to manage its economy if it is not allowed to adjust services to the population.

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