There has been further reaction to Fife Council’s shock announcement last week that 10 residential care homes could be axed.
Cupar independent councillor Bryan Poole acknowledged balancing the authority’s books would involve difficult decisions for whoever was in control. But he believes the budget-setting process used by the SNP-Lib Dem administration has contributed to the council’s difficult financial position.
Care home closure has become a consideration for the council as it attempts to bridge a £200m shortfall in its 10-year capital spending plan. The authority says the move would save £39.6m straight away, and £1.3m each year in further savings.
Mr Poole believes the large deficit could have been reduced if the authority had been more closely monitored in its yearly budget spending.
“I know and can provide evidence of one budget where around 30% of the budget allocation in actual figures £170,000 was and had been wasted for around 10 years. That’s over £1m of waste,” he said.
“It is my view that that is unlikely to be an isolated case.”
“Sadly, and frankly stupidly, instead of councillors scrutinising budgets the party councillors SNP, Liberal Democrats and Labour turn their attention on one another.
“The care homes options are a case in point. Here we have the Labour Party blaming the administration, and the administration defending itself and trying to turn the blame on Labour and all the while those who are really in control avoid real scrutiny.”
Cost-saving options relating to care homes go before the social work and health committee, which sits on Tuesday.
Mr Poole said that given the cost of building and running the facilities it should not come as a surprise that options are being looked at, and he would not criticise Fife Council for doing so.
“However, I believe the administration is open to criticism when we look back at how budgets have been set in the 3 years of this administration,” he said.
“In 2007, when the current administration took over the budget allocation from the Scottish Government to Fife Council, it was quite generous. This was before the financial crises, and that was the time to examine in some depth whether the finances of Fife Council were being used as effectively as they could.
“At every budget I have argued for a zero budgeting process which would have given us a root-and-branch look at where and what money was being spent to be adopted in Fife Council. Unfortunately this was not supported by the administration.
“Had this been done at that time it is my view that very significant savings could have been found from wastage within Fife Council.”