By Emylie Howie

Copyright dailyrecord

Controversial cost-cutting proposals that would impact some of Renfrewshire’s most vulnerable people fell through at a D-Day vote. Voting members of the integration joint board (IJB) – the body that oversees Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) – were deadlocked on a string of measures aimed at filling a budget black hole. It means a stay of execution for campaigners who have fought long and hard to protect services which will continue to be delivered. However, they have been advised that plans to save cash and address the financial deficit could be brought to the table in future. All four councillors on the board supported an SNP amendment to reject all but one of the proposals while the quartet of health board members supported implementing most of the cuts outlined. The proposals were, therefore, neither approved or rejected and the chair, health board representative Margaret Kerr, decided against organising a special meeting to secure a consensus. The SNP amendment proposed by Councillor Jacqueline Cameron and seconded by Cllr Lisa-Marie Hughes read: “While the IJB supports the strategic direction of travel of Sustainable Futures and the need for a transformational approach to deliver change, the IJB rejects the current tranche of proposals with the exception of proposal 9 (Section 5.5 – proposals 1-8). “We are concerned that the impact of these proposals will result in greater costs for the IJB and are misaligned with the prevention and early intervention agenda. “Given that the UK budget has been delayed, which will impact on the timing of the Scottish Government budget, it remains to be clarified if IJBs will receive further funding in the future.” The fallen proposals included redesigned day services for people with learning and physical disabilities that would have operated across three hubs – Milldale in Linwood and the Anchor Centre and Spinners Gate in Paisley. Services would no longer have used Paton’s Resource Centre in Johnstone or the Mirin at the Lagoon Leisure Centre, and the Disability Resource Centre in Paisley. There were also plans to change respite provision at Weavers Linn with people deemed in ‘critical need’ receiving up to 28 nights per year and in ‘substantial need’ receiving up to 21 nights. In older adult day services, the closure of Ralston Day Centre was proposed and people would have instead been offered a place at facilities in Johnstone and Renfrew. Autism Connections and Flexicare, which support people with autism and learning disabilities, were in line to be shut down while the HSCP suggested ending the assertive outreach model which helps people with learning disabilities and high care needs. Other ideas included removing the full-time equivalent of three staff posts from the health visiting team through retirement or not filling vacancies, and cutting the Childsmile’s community and practice programme although a motion was put forward to review this. However, a plan to redesign the district nursing and care at home overnight service was approved. Don’t miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – you can sign up to our free daily newsletter here