Council and Scottish Government at odds over ‘missing’ £1 million from social care pot
A war of words has broken out between a local authority and the Scottish Government over a ‘missing’ £1 million intended for social care.
Angus Council, who have denied any wrongdoing, say the money was not ring-fenced – but concerns have been raised in the Scottish Parliament about how it was spent.
As part of the 2018-19 local government finance settlement, the Scottish Government announced an additional £66m to meet increasing social care costs, with £1.56m allocated to Angus Council.
However, just around a third of the Angus money was spent on social care – leaving over £1 million unaccounted for in the social care budget.
Speaking in the Courier newspaper, Cabinet Secretary for Finance at the Scottish Government, Derek McKay, said: “I made it clear in my letter of 14 December to the president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the leaders of all 32 local authorities, including Angus Council, that I look to local authorities to continue to prioritise their financial support for social care,” he said.
“I have not received any replies to say that councils were not prepared to accept the 2018-19 local government finance settlement, so I expect all councils to comply fully with the terms that were set out in my letter.”
The row comes after the local authority announced swingeing cuts to social care provision across the county, a move which saw a protest outside council chambers.
The cuts included the loss of up 170 jobs and a reduction in the number of staff available for community alarm calls, which led to fears that attempts to juggle emergencies, paperwork and breaks on shifts would cause delays with potentially fatal consequences.
Angus Council Depute Leader and Finance Convener, Councillor Angus Macmillan Douglas, suggested SNP government cuts were to blame. He said: “Angus Council, in a similar position to other Scottish Councils, is facing a £40m funding gap over three years, due to the Scottish Government continually under funding local authorities, failing to fund inflationary cost increases, including some salaries, and requiring increases for council services but not funding them,” he said.
“Against this background the relatively small payment towards health and social care costs is inadequate. Angus Council has a responsibility to balance its budget however hard the Scottish Government makes that.”
Click here for full coverage from the Courier.
Picture (c) Russell Cheyne / PA Wire.
