A debate over whether elderly care homes should be provided by the public or private sector reignited when councillors expressed differences of opinion over the merits of an £11 million plan to replace care homes in Lochgelly/Cowdenbeath and Glenrothes.
Fife Council’s executive committee overwhelmingly agreed that specific proposals for replacement of Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly homes, and a next steps proposal for the replacement of the two homes in Glenrothes, are brought forward by October this year.
It was also agreed to proceed with consultation on identified potential sites in Lochgelly/Cowdenbeath for replacement of 64 beds and development of a new care village, including engagement with relevant area committees.
In line with a manifesto pledge, Fife’s Labour administration previously ditched plans by the previous SNP-Lib Dem a dministration to privatise the 10 local authority-owned care homes in the region.
However, at the latest executive committee meeting in Glenrothes, Fife Liberal Democrat leader Tim Brett questioned the need for new council care homes when there were 352 empty spaces in Fife care home beds.
He also noted that it costs £850 per week to stay in a council care home compared with £500 per week in the private sector. He said this was a “mistaken argument”.
SNP group leader Peter Grant said there was a need for a “continuum of care” and a need to move away from the “harsh categorisation of elderly people”.
Conservative leader Dave Dempsey questioned the “illogical grading” of care home beds.
Fife Council Labour administration leader Alex Rowley defended the proposals, saying it was about giving Fifers “choice”.
Mr Rowley noted that in October last year the executive committee approved a proposal to build a new ‘care village’ in Kirkcaldy to replace Appin House and Raith Gates homes.