Councillors in Fife have agreed the local authority should remain a direct provider of residential care services, although questions remain about the long-term future of several council-run care homes.
Members of the region’s social work and health committee rejected a plan to close all 10 of the council’s care homes when they met yesterday.
They chose instead to press ahead with building two care homes in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline, to replace Appin House, Raith Gates and Matthew Fyfe.
The plans form part of the council’s previous £40 million commitment to replace five of its 10 homes over the coming years, with officials being asked yesterday to examine if the rest of the care home replacement programme should continue as planned, given the current economic climate.
The local authority also left its options open in relation to the remaining seven council homes, agreeing to consult on those with a view to “replacing the existing provision as and when suitable alternative provision becomes available.”
Labour councillors maintained that means care homes are still under threat and accused the SNP/Lib Dem administration of “reneging on its promise” to replace homes, while SNP/Lib Dem councillors accused the opposition of “scaremongering” over the issue.
The discussions came as the council explores how it can provide residential, day care and respite services for older people, with greater reliance on the private and not-for-profit sector still not being ruled out.
Committee chairman Tim Brett said financial pressures have forced the council to review the decision it took in 2008 to invest £40 million in its care home replacement programme.
“We need to find a way forward that is affordable and sustainable but puts older people at the heart of what we do,” he said. “The world has changed significantly in the last two years and we need to make significant savings.”
While no decisions have been taken, Lib Dem councillor Susan Leslie welcomed the commitment to draw back from closing all 10 care homes.
“It is absolutely right that, in order to secure the highest quality care and best value, all the options should have been examined,” she said. “However, to close all 10 care homes was an option that I have argued strongly against over the past months as discussions took place within the administration.”
Despite that, Labour leader Alex Rowley claimed the consultation meant the future was uncertain for residents and staff at Alan McLure and South Parks in Glenrothes, Methilhaven in Methil, Ladywalk in Anstruther, Northeden in Cupar, Valley House in Cowdenbeath and Jenny Gray in Lochgelly.
His comments were echoed by colleague Kay Morrison, who said, “I have heard residents in Glenrothes have been informed by letter that their facility is likely to be closed. That would suggest we’re not being as transparent as we should be about consulting people.
“People are puzzled and worried about their futures and alarmed at where they will end up.”
There were suggestions the issue had split Fife’s SNP and Lib Dem councillors-claims refuted by the administration.
Mr Brett said the council was “genuinely open” to further discussion around those issues as the various options are explored.
Councillors voted 8-5 in favour of the administration’s proposals.