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The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities has accused the Scottish executive of showing a lack of trust over its proposals to ring-fence the funding of free personal care.

The angry statement from Cosla came on the day that first minister, Henry McLeish, announced that the executive intended to support all the recommendations of the care development group in a package which will cost £125 million for the first year. The executive was forced to publish the care development group’s report after mistakenly placing it on its web site. Now ministers have confirmed their support and will release the Community Care and Health Bill on Tuesday, 25 September.

The formal announcement was welcomed by campaign and welfare groups. Maureen O’Neill, director of Age Concern Scotland, said: "This will make a real difference to many older people in Scotland." The executive proposes to introduce free personal care in April 2002.

Meanwhile Cosla welcomed the recommendations of the care development group, but will ask members to vote for an urgent meeting with the executive to express its dismay. Councillor Andy White, Cosla’s spokesperson on financial issues, said: "We need to put in place real partnership arrangements whereby the Scottish executive trusts local government to deliver on shared priorities. Ring-fencing displays a lack of trust."