Council run estates worth £2.5m

Nearly 400 people have their money managed by Edinburgh council after being deemed unfit to look after their own affairs.

Figures released for the first time show 398 fortunes worth almost £2.5 million are currently handled by the authority.

Such corporate appointeeships have proven controversial in the past after campaigners raised conflict of interest concerns over care providers also acting as financial guardians.

“With regards to local authorities acting as corporate appointee they should very much be the last resort if no family members or close friends can be found to undertake the tasks and responsibilities of the role,” said Sean Tyrer, chief executive of the Money Carer Foundation.

“The individual must of course be willing and suitable to assume the appointeeship.”

The data was obtained under Freedom of Information laws after the council became embroiled in a high-profile row over the estate of former actor Howard “Lew” Lewis.

A Council spokeswoman said: “Local authorities and other bodies take on corporate appointee accounts to manage the finances and welfare of individuals in their care.”