Officials bear brunt of care blunder fury

CITY leaders have blamed council officials for the botched tender of care and support for vulnerable people.

The proposals were cancelled after an independent investigation found irregularities in the tender process.

Councillor Phil Wheeler, the city's finance leader, said: "It is a matter of great concern that the council leader, myself and other members of the administration were kept in the dark about the mistakes."

The tendering process has been halted while a new longer-term strategy is drawn up, but there is a fresh row over direct payments – where the council gives money to clients to arrange their own care.

The council is proposing setting the level at 15.04 an hour but there are claims that the sum will not be enough for people with complex care needs.

At a four-hour-long meeting of the finance committee, councillors voted 8-4 for progressing with the new level but opposition councillors were able to refer it to full council for a final decision.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, health spokeswoman for the Labour group on the city council, said: "There is no doubt that people are very upset, very hurt and very concerned about this whole process and their service in the future."