Calls for ‘local accountability’ in care revamp

The needs of East Renfrewshire must be considered if a planned National Care Service goes ahead, the council has told the Scottish Government.

Councillors have agreed a response to a consultation, launched by the government in August, which follows a review of adult social care.

There was cross-party support for retaining “local accountability”, and some opposition councillors voiced their concerns over the centralisation of social care services.

The response calls for funding granted to councils to be increased as it believes improvements will be made “more quickly and effectively” that way.

East Renfrewshire Council says it believes that the best health and social care services need local leadership and democratic accountability underpinned by “coherent” national policy.

The response was put together following a cross-party meeting of councillors in September. It was approved at a full council meeting last week.

Councillor Stewart Miller, independent, said:“The question has to be, since this was a manifesto commitment by the Nats, are they not duty bound to carry this through and, assisted by their odious Green poodles, force their nationalisation plans for social work or can they renege on their manifesto commitment?”

In response, council leader Tony Buchanan, SNP, said: “I’m not sure where Stewart’s comments come from. There is a consultation ongoing and that is what we’re responding to.

“The outcome of that consultation, there may well be a National Care Service, but what it actually does and how the services are delivered within, that is the key aspect.

“The proposals will have a significant impact on local government, local democratic accountability and our staff and service users. This response is measured in its response to that part of the consultation.”