£1.5m cut for social work budget

The council is facing a savings target of nearly £8m in 2010/11

Cuts in day care services for adults with learning difficulties are to be given further consideration by Dumfries and Galloway Council.

The social services committee has been told closing four of the region's six Adult Resource Centres, cutting 30 jobs, could save £660,000.

It is one of six areas which council officials have identified to help slash £1.5m from the social work budget.

But the council said there must be full consultation before the cuts are made.

Various savings options were outlined in a report for a meeting of the social services committee on Tuesday.

The one relating to Adult Resource Centres (ARCs) has proven controversial - there are currently six centres offering day care for adults with learning difficulties, employing 105 staff.

The closure plan and loss of 30 jobs would save £660,000.

Officials said that instead of providing day care at a specific building, clients would be offered alternative personalised services within the community.

Other cash saving proposals include cutting block-bookings of respite beds for elderly people in residential homes to save £135,000, and freezing the recruitment of additional social workers to save £230,000.

Council officials said other options include raising £70,000 by charging a £20 administration cost every time a disabled driver renews their blue parking badge.

A further £100,000 could be raised by increasing charges for some paid-for social services.

Social services committee chairman Councillor Denis Male said the move would only go ahead after full public consultation.