At the annual budget meeting, the SNP/Lib Dem coalition had its proposals passed by 42 votes to 27 against a backdrop of cries from Labour accusing it of profiting from the region's most vulnerable.

Further ammunition for the opposition came from the administration's decision to charge the region's elderly and disabled for home care services.

The controversial policy was at the centre of last Thursday's debate with Labour and the Independent groups demanding the SNP/Lib Dems re-think their plans following a full review.

Labour leader Alex Rowley said: "In any level of government or walk of life, it would not be acceptable to impose charges without a review and it's not acceptable in Fife.

''Even if you push this through, it will not be the end of it."

But the administration succeeded in securing its three-year budget with measures to save money in every sector to be implemented from April.

Social work and environment services will take the biggest blow and initial calculations show 242 jobs will be affected.

Labour councillor Mike Rumney said: "This administration is targeting the lowest paid and most vulnerable."

Conservative leader Mike Scott-Hayward echoed the cry for home care charges to be stopped, stating it was 'not up to us' to introduce them.
He said the nationwide shortfall in funding social services should instead be addressed by the Government.

Efficiency savings within social work services - including travel costs and supplies' costs - will total £780,000 by 2011 and a further £540,000 will be slashed through the deletion of 10 managerial posts.

• See full story on page 2 of this week's Fife Free Press plus three years of savings table