£1.5m cut for Dumfries & Galloway social work budget

Cuts in day care services for adults with learning difficulties are being considered by Dumfries and Galloway Council. The social services committee is to be told closing four of the region’s six Adult Resource Centres, cutting 30 jobs, could save £660,000.

It is one of six areas which council officials have identified to help slash £1.5m from the social work budget.

Other cash saving proposals include a recruitment freeze for social workers.

The savings options are outlined in a report for a meeting of the social services committee.

The one relating to Adult Resource Centres (ARCs) is likely to prove controversial – there are currently six centres offering day care for adults with learning difficulties, employing 105 staff.

The closure plan and loss of 30 jobs would save £660,000.

Officials will say that instead of providing day care at a specific building, clients would be offered alternative personalised services within the community.

Officials admit the proposal will be controversial and cause anxiety amongst service users, their carers and the communities where ARCs are situated.

Other cash saving proposals include cutting block-bookings of respite beds for elderly people in residential homes to save £135,000, and freezing the recruitment of additional social workers to save £230,000.

Council officials said other options include raising £70,000 by charging a £20 administration cost every time a disabled driver renews their blue parking badge.

A further £100,000 could be raised by increasing charges for some paid-for social services.