Council seeks talks with executive

A Scottish council has rejected controversial proposals to tighten
the rules covering eligibility for free personal and nursing care.

Instead, Highland Council is seeking urgent talks with the Scottish
executive to discuss a cash shortage.

Councillors voted against stricter criteria for eligibility and the
introduction of a waiting list for less urgent cases. Other
proposals included setting a £145 ceiling for people paying
for care in their own homes.

Highland Council received just over £4m from the Scottish
executive to meet the costs of providing free personal and nursing
care in its area. However, demand has proved to be higher than
predicted.

Jess Barrow of Age Concern Scotland said the Highland proposal had
been contrary to the Sutherland report which led to the
introduction of free personal care.