Cupar care home plans on hold after councillors say they were not consulted

Councillors on Fife's Policy and Co-Ordination Committee had been set to agree the business case for the replacement of Northeden House on Thursday.

However, the item was pulled from the meeting agenda at the last minute after Conservative councillor, Tony Miklinski, and Liberal Democrat, Margaret Kennedy, staged an eleventh-hour intervention over the report's wording.

It suggested that local councillors had been consulted on the revised proposal - something they deny.

A "completely surprised" Cllr Kennedy said: "The report stated that consultation with local elected members and community council had taken place when, in fact, there had been none with regards the revised proposals.

"The expected processes, in bringing forward such a key infrastructure project, had not been followed.

"I have personally campaigned for years to have this new facility, therefore was extremely disappointed that changes had been made without my full understanding."

Cllr Miklinski added: "We have a duty to ensure that the needs of our constituents are fully understood and the best possible service delivered."

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The pair met with officers and administration social care spokesman, Cllr David Graham, to defer the discussions until a later date to allow the consultation to take place.

Fiona McKay, divisional general manager at Fife Health & Social Care Partnership, said: "Following a meeting with local councillors, a decision was taken to withdraw the report.

"It was felt that due to the Covid-19 situation, more consultation was required with elected members and members of the community.

"Work is underway liaising with elected members and a consultation will be undertaken with communities."

Approval of the report would have seen the new Northeden House changed from a 36-bed care home to a 24-bed home with 12 supported flats for adults with additional support needs.

Finance bosses say the original plan is now prohibitively expensive.

The home has been budgeted at £6.6 million, drawn from the council's capital fund, while the supported flats would be paid for with a combination of housing cash and Scottish Government grants if approved.

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