Councillors have complained they are being “kept in the dark” about the running of a controversial company set up to deliver care for the elderly in Aberdeen.
Callum McCaig, who leads the main opposition SNP group in the city, argued there is insufficient scrutiny of the finances and performance of Bon Accord Care.
The “arms-length” firm was launched in August 2013 by the Labour-led local authority administration, but has proved highly contentious.
It was reported earlier this week that Bon Accord Care had plunged £1million into the red this year, but it has since been suggested that figure could be as high as £1.6million.
The SNP tabled a series of questions to a full council meeting on Wednesday, but officers said they were unable to provide answers in public session.
Mr McCaig argued the discussions over the use of public money in a company 100% owned by the council should not have taken place behind closed doors.
He said: “It is absolutely scandalous that the public are being kept in the dark about a company that is owned by the council, that provides care on behalf of the council, and which has been reported to be running a deficit upwards of £1million of public money.
“This is completely and utterly unacceptable. We are dealing with people’s lives, if you don’t get care for the elderly right, it literally is a life or death issue.”
Mr McCaig sits on a board that was designed to provide oversight of the company, but he questioned the effectiveness of the group. He said: “All we are allowed to look at is the governance arrangements. We have no idea what is happening in Bon Accord Care.”
Bon Accord Care took over the running of a number of services from the council, including care at home, residential care, rehabilitation, occupational therapy and community meals. About 800 staff were transferred.
At the time of its inception, council officials argued the new firm, based on a model adopted by Essex County Council, would improve services and save money.
Willie Young, finance convener at the council, denied there was a deficit, and pointed to a written response to SNP questions from the local authority chief executive Angela Scott. Mrs Scott said that Bon Accord Care would break even for the financial year.
Mr Young added: “Callum McCaig, as convener of audit and risk, can call the chief executive and any senior officer before the committee to ask questions about Bon Accord Care.”