Confusion continues to surround the position of Fife’s social work vice-chairman.
Rumours continue to circulate that Kirkcaldy SNP councillor David Torrance is in the process of resigning as vice-chairman of the social work and health committee after previous assurances that new council-run care homes would be built in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline were withdrawn.
However, that speculation continues to be denied by the SNP/Lib Dem administration and the issue looks set to drag on.
Labour leader Alex Rowley tried to press the administration on the issue during Thursday’s full council meeting, but there was no response from senior administration councillors during the debates.
“We have an ongoing dispute within Fife Council as to the procedures used to privatise the care homes and the final decision being made by just six councillors, while the vice-chair has been willing to tell many people off the record that he has resigned as he did not agree with the decision,” Mr Rowley said. “He now needs to clarify his position as he turned up at the meeting and voted in support of the administration policies on social work.
“I have had four people all independently tell me they have had a conversation with the vice-chair and on each occasion he has told them he disagreed with the decision to privatise the homes and that he was resigning as a result.
“What is his position? Has he resigned or is he still the vice-chair? That is what he must answer, for he started and fuelled the speculation over his position by telling people he has resigned.”
Several councillors responded angrily to Mr Rowley’s outburst during the council meeting. Planning chairman John Beare shouted “disgrace” as Mr Rowley tried to put Mr Torrance on the spot.
Council leader Peter Grant earlier this week claimed Mr Torrance had not yet resigned and would continue as vice-chairman, while Mr Torrance himself has so far refused to comment on the rumours and stayed seated during Thursday’s meeting.