Unite slams SNP-Tory vote to close Stirling care homes
20th February 2009
Unite, Scotland’s largest trade union, has slammed SNP and
Conservative councillors at Stirling council after they voted to
close two local residential care homes last night as part of the
local budget proposals.
Amid angry scenes at the Stirling city chambers, Labour and
Liberal councillors voted 11-11 against their SNP and Tory
counterparts on a budget plan shaped by private-hire consultants
KPMG.
The SNP provost then cast the deciding vote in favour of the
budget, closing the Beech Gardens and Wellgreen residential homes
at a cost of 40 full-time residential placements and potentially 50
local jobs.
Unite senior industrial officer Pat Rafferty said: “Last night
we witnessed first-hand the devastating social and employment
impact of the SNP’s budget. Beech Gardens and Wellgreen employ 50
local people across a variety of occupations while caring for 40
permanent residents and up to 40 day-care placements.
"Alternative and viable budget proposals were put forward by the
Labour group that would have secured these elderly care places and
our members' jobs. However, the SNP provost and councillors in
collaboration with the Conservatives decided to follow the ‘savings
opportunity’ presented by the KPMG consultants.
"Stirling council’s unholy ‘Tartan-Tory’ alliance has let the
local community down badly.”
Anger over last night’s decision was further compounded when it
was revealed that KPMG’s consultancy fees have already cost
Stirling council around £350,000 and could rise to £1 million.
The 'savings opportunity' indentified by KPMG in closing Beech
Gardens and Wellgreen is said to be between £250,000 and
£430,000.
A consultation process on the closures is expected to begin in
April.
ENDS
For further information contact Unite senior industrial officer
Pat Rafferty on 07810157929.
Email to a friend
Want to share this story? These sites allow you to tag and share links across the internet enabling you to share these links with friends and people with similar interests. You can also access your links from any computer you happen to be using.
