Scotland’s local councils are facing a new cash crisis as Holyrood imposes a budget on them that will leave them with a £630 million shortfall, according to a document leaked to The Herald.

FIFE Council has ruled out the total closure of its care homes — but question marks remain over the heads of several facilities.

An SNP councillor in Fife will be “seriously disappointed” if the local authority ends up spending £16 million on two new care homes.

CONCERNED neighbours and parents of St Blane’s Primary reacted angrily this week during a public meeting over a proposed behavioural school.

A carer at an Edinburgh residential home who hit a 79-year-old dementia patient on the head has been jailed for four months.

Charities warned last night that the neediest people in society would be hit hardest by the cuts – and urged the Scottish Government and local authorities not to make the problems worse.

Glasgow’s pioneering addictions service could be threatened by the break-up of the merger of social work and health services, union leaders have warned.

COUNCIL slogans have had to be wiped off a set of pool cars over fears that staff driving them would be recognised.

RESCUERS and local residents have been praised for their efforts to help 59 pensioners after a massive blase at an Inverness nursing home

Councillors in Fife have agreed the local authority should remain a direct provider of residential care services, although questions remain about the long-term future of several council-run care homes.