WEST Dunbartonshire’s Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is expecting a reduction of £1.56 million to its budget for 2018/19.

A report published by the partnership last week shows an overall budget gap of £3.72m due to funding cuts and rising demand for services.

Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie called on the council to protect budgets and reverse cuts to health and social care services.

She said: “The HSCP has delayed setting its budget until the very last minute after the full council in March.

“That means there will be less scrutiny from councillors and members of the public and fewer opportunities for local people to campaign against the cuts.

“The list of proposals already drawn up will lead to higher charges being imposed on disabled people and more pensioners stuck in hospital because social care services are stripped to the bone.

“When so many vital services and staff are under threat, it is unthinkable for West Dunbartonshire Council to even consider passing on £1.56m of cuts to the HSCP.

“Health and social care services in West Dunbartonshire are now at the mercy of an SNP-run council and an SNP-dominated health board.

“The most vulnerable local residents will suffer unless Councillor Jonathan McColl steps up now and uses his position on both bodies to reverse the cuts.”

However, Cllr McColl, the authority’s leader, who also serves on the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board, issued an assurance that the council will strive to ensure services are not negatively impacted by any reductions.

He said: “I have already publicly confirmed that the SNP will make provision in our budget to protect vital HSCP services.

“I’ve been talking about the potential negative effect of passing on such a huge cut at every budget discussion I’ve attended.

“Jackie must have been distracted by the public invitation she’s received to join the Conservative Party.

“Mutual love can do that to you.”