​Borders Council plans to transfer care to arms-length body to save cash

Adult care services in the Borders could be transferred to an arm's length organisation in a move designed to save £5.6 million over five years.

Scottish Borders councillors are being asked to approve the move.

If successful the transfer would take place in April next year.

It is planned that services would transfer to a new limited liability company, with no councillors on the board.

The organisation would be responsible for home care as well as operating day care and five residential homes.

Glasgow City Council executed a similar move when it transferred care services to an arms-length organisation Cordia.

The council said existing staff would be taken on by the new company with their terms and conditions preserved.

Borders Council needs to reduce social work spending over the next five years but demand for social care by the over-65s is expected to increase by 11% over the same period.