Be more creative, AM urges Council

Llanelli AM Keith Davies has called upon Carmarthenshire County Council bosses to be 'more creative' about the use of finite resources following the publication of draft budget figures.

In papers produced for the Executive Board meeting of the Independent-led Council this week, it was disclosed that an overspend of over £1million had been recorded in the use of private care homes.

In a letter to Carmarthenshire County Council's Chief Executive, Mark James and Independent Leader Meryl Gravell, the Llanelli Assembly Member has requested that better use be made of public care homes.

Keith Davies AM said:

"At a time when budgets are being cut, it would seem that some better housekeeping is in order.

"We now have a situation where the County Council is overspending on care in the private sector to the tune of over £1 million whilst reporting a £209,000 underspend within the budget set aside for its own care homes."

The issue of continuing care for elderly people is back in the spotlight, following a report in the national press questioning the quality of care and the availability of beds across the UK.

In December, the Public Accounts Committee, lead by Labour MP Margaret Hodge warned that there is a continued risk of collapse within the private care sector as there is no monitoring of their financial position. The Southern Cross collapse put the care of 30,000 people at risk.

Keith Davies AM continued:

"We are only now starting to see the effects of the Tory spending cuts and how they are hurting us here in Wales. Council officials must be more creative about generating revenue, utilising resources and making efficiencies before cutting services.

"So I am calling on Meryl Gravell to think again about her priorities for the budget. She must ensure that essential services like care homes for our vulnerable elderly population are made more sustainable."

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