A ROW has broken out over “scandalous” plans to cut the number of people in Dumbarton and the Vale who qualify for free garden care and maintenance.

Councillors will consider revising West Dunbartonshire Council’s care of gardens scheme tomorrow during a meeting of the infrastructure, regeneration and economic development committee (IRED) tomorrow.

The plan is to tighten the qualifying criteria, which could spell the end of free care to hundreds of households.

But the move has been labelled “scandalous” by opponents.

Councillors will consider a recommendation to change the criteria for the free service to be provided only to residents in receipt of a disability benefit such as personal independence payment, disability living allowance, attendance allowance or a care service from the health and social care partnership (HSCP) – regardless of their age.

It is also proposed residents who do not meet the criteria, but are of pensionable age, can still benefit from a subsidised service.

However, they will need to stump up £70 per year – with the council contributing £135.

Council leader Jonathan McColl this week defended the proposed changes, saying: “Under Labour, anyone of pensionable age could use the service free of charge, regardless of their ability to maintain their own garden.

“These individuals take up spaces on the active list, meaning that vulnerable disabled people who are not able to do their own gardening are unable to access the service.

“The charges being proposed will mean that those who need the service will be able to access it free of charge, ending the unfair practice operated by the previous Labour administration.”

It is understood the service currently costs taxpayers around £540,000.

However, if the changes are approved, the new criteria would reduce that figure by nearly £200,000.

Ronnie Dinnie, the council’s strategic lead for environment and neighbourhood, said: “The proposed changes to the scheme would allow the council to continue to provide a free gardening service to the residents of West Dunbartonshire who need it most.

“To assist pensioners we would be able to continue to deliver a valued service at a heavily subsidised rate of £70 per year.

“It is now up for councillors to decide if that is the right course of action to take in West Dunbartonshire.”

If approved the proposed changes will reduce the number of qualifying households from 2,631 to around 1,800.

But the plan has been met with stiff opposition.

Labour’s Dumbarton ward councillor David McBride said: “I am very concerned.

“This is an attack on the most vulnerable in our community and will have serious affects for our housing estates.

“When Labour were elected in 2012 our first act was to overturn the SNP imposed charges.

“I am also concerned this is being considered at a committee and not during the budget consultation. It’s not very open and transparent.”

Leven councillor Jim Bollan said: “This is a shocking attack on constituents least able to defend themselves.

“To add salt to the wounds the SNP suggest many of the current service users can cut their own grass and tend to their gardens, as well as grit the paths and pavements around their home during the winter months.

“It’s a scandalous decision.”