Fife Council care homes face closure as cash cuts bite

Fife Council’s ten residential care homes could be set to close as the local authority look to make up to £120 million of savings over the next few years.

As public spending cuts begin to bite, councillors will be asked to consider three cost-saving options when the social work and health committee meet on Tuesday (19th October).

One of these includes closing all local authority residential care homes with residents moving to another care home of their choice in the private or not for profit sector.

The local authority had decided in 2008 to build five new care homes at a total cost of £40 million. However, a second option will see councillors asked whether or not to back the building of these care homes and then invest further to refurbish the remaining five buildings.

A further option would be for the local authority to press ahead with £16 million plans for two new care homes, including one in Dunfermline to replace Mathew Fyfe as well as one in Kirkcaldy, with the remaining care homes to close.

The depth of the economic crisis has altered Fife Council’s financial situation to the point where they must now make £120 million savings over the next few years, with £30 million to come from social work.

Head of older people services Rona Laing said, “We have already contacted people who live in our homes and use our services, their families and staff to inform them of these initial discussions and they have our commitment that no decision will be made until a full and robust consultation programme has taken place, the results of which will be presented to members of Fife Council in February 2011.”