Scottish Government could overrule councillors refusing to accept social care cutbacks

HEALTH Secretary Shona Robison could step in and overrule councillors refusing to accept social care cutbacks, it has emerged.

Labour members are using their power on the new Integrated Joint Boards (IJBs) of Scotland’s Health and Social Care Partnerships to vote down budget proposals.

They are now on a collision course with Holyrood chiefs because, where the IJB cannot agree on a budget, Ms Robison has the right to intervene.

Renfrewshire Council’s depute leader Mike Holmes tabled a motion to reject proposals for the area’s IJB entitlement for 2017/18, leading to a tied vote. The Scottish Government has confirmed it has “offered to assist”.

The only other IJB to vote on next year’s budget so far is West Dunbartonshire’s, where an SNP councillor thwarted a similar attempt by Labour to defy the Government.

Scottish Labour’s social care spokesman, Colin Smyth, said a full-scale revolt was on the cards unless the Scottish Government shored up health funding in Thursday’s budget.

He said: “The SNP Government in Edinburgh is using these boards as cover for their own cuts and it is understandable that local councillors are angry about it.

“Investing in social care is how we take the pressure off our hospitals to deliver a better NHS for everyone – it’s time the SNP realised that.

“Further cuts to social care will just make this problem worse in the coming years – the ball is firmly in the SNP’s court with the Scottish budget next week.”

The news comes after the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) revealed councils lost 7000 jobs last year, warning that the cuts had a direct impact on social care.

Audit Scotland also said health spending had not kept pace with rising demand and highlighted a string of missed targets in October.

The Sunday Post has previously reported that £1m a day was being cut from NHS board budgets this year.

Renfrewshire’s proposed IJB budget would end evening hospital transport and see a reduction in school nurses, mental health services, employability services for people recovering from mental health issues and consultant psychological posts.

Mr Holmes accused the Scottish Government of using IJBs as a “back door” for making cuts.

“We are consistently told by the SNP government at Holyrood that the health service in Scotland is protected and its budget is increasing,” he added. “If that is the case, the public of Renfrewshire has a right to ask why these or indeed any cuts are being proposed.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said it expected the IJBs would agree on budgets. “The SG has offered to assist with (Renfrewshire’s) budget setting process but would expect agreement to be reached locally,” he said.

“In 2016-17 territorial health boards have received a 5.5% resource increase over 2015-16 budget levels, which will enable investment of an additional £250m to support the integration of health and social care and build the capacity of community-based services.”