Fate of five new care homes left in balance for month

The uncertainty over whether or not Highland Council will build five new care homes will continue until next month after councillors voted yesterday to consult their communities before taking a final decision.

During a passionate debate at the full council meeting, councillors were accused of “selling old people down the river” if they scrap one of their key policies.

Officials have reported there is no business case for building five new care homes to replace those in Inverness, Grantown, Fort William, Muir of Ord and Tain.

They said that the cost of the project will be higher than those incurred by procurement of places from the independent sector.

Councillors will now gauge public opinion on the future of the homes before a full debate on the council’s 2010-15 capital spending programme on June 24.

SNP councillor Dave Fallows said that the council risked “selling old people down the river” and asked that councillors commit to building the new homes.

He added: “We have a massive problem in dealing with a growing ageing population. We were here three years ago and no stone has been laid or foundations built to move us towards care homes that we need.”

He was supported by Inverness councillor Jim Crawford who said: “We must prioritise. I do not care if I drive over every pothole in the Highlands. We need to prioritise the old, infirm and people who can’t look after themselves.”

But Mr Fallow’s motion to proceed with the new homes was defeated by 53 votes to 20, with three abstentions.

Chairwoman of housing and social work Margaret Davidson said that councillors should take a month to consider the position.

She said: “I acknowledge that care homes are well used, well loved and extremely important in the communities where they sit.”

But she said that she had received phone calls from constituents voicing both sides of the argument.

Liberal Democrat budget leader, Dr David Alston denied allegations from the SNP that the results of the review had been pre-determined.

Steve Barron, director of housing and property, said that the council ran 18 care homes, supplying 264 places.

He said that the independent sector provided more than 1,500 beds, although more than 100 were unoccupied. Mr Barron added that there were planning applications lodged for a further 383 beds.

Liz Campbell and John McIntosh of Invernevis Action Group in Lochaber attended the debate and said afterwards that they remained concerned about the fate of their local care home.

Mr McIntosh said: “It’s ridiculous that we find ourselves in this state.”

They said that they expected a larger protest group to travel to attend the council meeting next month.

Members of the public wishing to comment on the business cases for the five homes can send their comments to: Care Home Business Case Comments, The Highland Council, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX. Alternatively, the public can visit the home page of the council’s website www.highland.gov.uk and post their comments.