Council officials have played down the significance of a Supreme Court decision requiring authorities to provide greater clarity over care costs – despite charities and lawyers warning it could be the biggest ‘community care ruling for 15 years'.

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) said the 31 May ruling in the case of ‘KM' v Cambridgeshire CC was ‘not going to open the floodgates' protecting councils from disproportionate costs. But charities believe it has brought much-needed transparency to the way councils' must present care offers.