Fife Council’s social work service is facing an overspend of more than £7 million by 2014, it has been revealed.
Members of the executive committee were informed by executive director of finance and resources, Brian Livingston, that the department is £4 million in the red and a priority-based budget review from now until December is required to claw back savings to address the projected shortfall of £7.249m.
Mr Livingston explained the overspend was due to significantly higher demands on budgeted service, such as child placements, nursing and residential placements, homecare and adult care packages.
“The pressures currently being experienced are expected to continue and to increase in future years, while the financial resources available to the council are expected to continue to decline for the foreseeable future,’’ he said.
“If the service continues to deliver services as it currently does, it will not be able to meet the needs of the population of Fife on a sustainable basis.’’
Stephen Moore, executive director of social work, said all local authorities in Scotland were struggling as a result of “unprecedented” demand on services but the protection of vulnerable and elderly people in Fife remained paramount.
“This pressure is increasing further as the complexity of need from across all client groups, adults, children and older people gets increasingly acute. Our priority is to always put the person first and this commitment remains, meeting record levels of needs this year,’’ he said.
“We are very clear on our financial position and fully understand the challenges facing Fife. Efficiencies are no longer enough to close the £7 million shortfall.
“We must do things differently. As we go forward, we’ll reassure service users that action is being taken to build on the proven history of partnership working. We will ensure the effectiveness of initiatives such as re-ablement is increased, so every pound works harder as part of our drive to target the most vulnerable at their time of need, so as a result, they remain safe, well and independent.
“With full engagement of service users, staff and partners, we will move forward with integrating services and strengthen joint working to do what is right for the people of Fife, not only today but in the years ahead.“
Councillor Judy Hamilton, spokesperson for social work and health, said she intended to meet with social work officers regularly to keep informed on the issue.
She said: “This is a very serious situation but the report presented to councillors has clearly identified how the deficit has arisen and has mapped out a way forward.
“We need to now look at everything in a priority-based budgeting process, where we can focus on a comprehensive review and evaluate our activities against our priorities.’’