A north-east councillor has admitted he felt “sick to his stomach” over a council decision to scrap the cap on care fees.
When members of Aberdeenshire’s social work and housing committee met in Aberdeen yesterday, independent councillor, Dave Stewart, spoke passionately about the authority’s decision to charge hundreds of people more for a range of care services.
Until recently, north-east residents paid up to a maximum of 35% of the cost of using services such as day care centres and very sheltered accommodation, depending on their income.
But, earlier this year, the committee backed a council recommendation to lift the cap to make the system “fairer”.
The changes mean that people who are currently paying £6 per session at a day care centre could, as of Monday, April 4, be charged £20.
And a person living in a sheltered care home with their own tenancy unit could be billed up to £400 a week, almost £300 more than they are today.
Mr Stewart – who voted to approve the move – said: “I am sick to my stomach that I voted for this without understanding the implications. I have heard from care managers who say they are now working for the council and not their clients.”
He added that dozens of service users may now give up on council care altogether.
His thoughts were echoed by SNP councillor Linda Clark. She said: “We were faced with a hard decision, it’s a hefty responsibility. I feel for Dave – very often what he says is just what other people are thinking.”
Responding to Mr Stewart’s comments, Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership chief, Adam Coldwells, said the decision was made by the council union COSLA and, ultimately, the committee’s hands were tied.
He added: “You as a committee voted to agree to guidelines agreed politically by Cosla.
“I’ve had letters from staff and their concerns have been philosophical about paying for care.
“That’s for you as councillors to sort out. I am working from a national set of rules set out politically.”
During the discussions, councillor Anne Robertson, a former chairwoman of the committee, called for officers to meet face to face with those most affected by the changes.
She added: “That might allay a lot of fears going forwards.”
The new care charging scheme comes into effect on Monday.