Care homes replacement to go ahead

Fife Council is pressing ahead with its care home rep lacement programme – despite delaying a decision on a new unit for Cupar.

The policy and coordination committee had been due to consider a proposal to reduce the size of the planned replacement for North Eden Care Home in Cupar from 36 beds to 24 with 12 supported flats.

But an intervention by Cupar councillors Margaret Kennedy and To n y Miklinski led to the item being pulled from yesterday’s agenda to allow for further consultation on the plans.

The scheme is part of an £18 million plan to replace council-run care homes, which also includes Methil and Anstruther.

Councillors went on to vote 17-4 in favour of the business case for a replacement for Ladywalk House in Anstruther on a site at Mayview Court.

It will accommodate 24 residential care home beds, 12 extra-care housing units and shared services, with two specific needs bungalows at the same site.

Conservative councillor Dave Dempsey had called for the Anstruther decision to be deferred along with C u p a r, suggesting the business case had not properly considered all of the options – in particular the idea of repurposing all beds in the independent sector over a three-year period.

“It’s the 21st Century equivalent of Henry Ford’s colour chart... you can have any option as long as i t ’s this o n e ,” he said.

Ho w e v e r, Labour councillor David Graham said privatisation was not a desirable option.

“During our consultation, people in Anstruther overwhelmingly wanted to continue with local authority provision in the town,” he insisted.

Work has already started on a new care village on the site of the former Kirkland High School in Methil, but overspends saw a scaledback proposal drawn up for Cupar with the Anstruther replacement expected to follow that.

Liberal Democrat councillor Ms Kennedy said no consultation over the revised Cupar plans had taken place.

“I was completely surprised when I saw the new proposals,” she said.

“I have personally campaigned for years to have this new facility provided in Cupar therefore was extremely disappointed that changes had been made without my full understanding.”

Mr Miklinski said he was pleased the request for a delay was granted after learning the Cupar plans had changed.

“As the local elected representatives of the Cupar community, we have a duty to ensure that the needs of our constituents are fully understood and the best possible service delivered,” he added.

I was completely surprised by the new plans

DELAY: There is to be further consultation on plans for North Eden Care Home in Cupar.