Opposition In Fife Home-Care Demands

Opposition councillors in Fife have joined forces to call for a review of home-care services in the region.

Every Labour, Conservative and independent member of the authority signed a joint letter demanding a ward-by-ward breakdown of services.

Bryan Poole, the independent who organised the “show of unity”, said he feared the service was stretched.

Fife Council said it was appalled that the integrity of the authority’s staff was being called into question.

Mr Poole said the “unprecedented” joint call was prompted by concern and confusion about changes to home-care policy.

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He told the BBC Scotland news website some users had been left without vital services with no explanation.

“A few weeks ago I was phoned by the relations of two constituents on a Thursday evening who were literally frantic with worry,” he said.

“They had been advised it was unlikely Fife Council would be able to provide home care services over the forthcoming weekend to their relations.”

Mr Poole said a service was provided after the social work department was contacted, but added it was not the first time problems had arisen.

Protesters from the group Campaign Against Charges disrupted a council meeting in June when they chained themselves together. Several were in wheelchairs.

The group said the new charging policy introduced this year was unfair and a “tax on the vulnerable”.

Labour group social care spokesman Mark Hood claimed getting an accurate picture had been difficult, adding: “I am not sure whether the information just does not exist or whether the information is so damaging that there is a reluctance to put it in the public domain.”

The comment prompted an angry reaction from the administration’s leader Peter Grant.

He said: “I am appalled by the comments of some councillors who seem determined to question the professional integrity of Fife Council employees by suggesting they are hiding information from councillors.

“As an administration, we are determined to be as open as possible about the council’s performance.”

Mr Grant said it had been known for a long time that the authority’s social work and health committee would receive an update on home care charges on 9 September.

“I have to ask myself whether the timing of the request is entirely coincidental,” he added.