Fife Council is due to consider a report next week into proposals to build a new two-storey care home in Kirkcaldy.

The Council’s Executive Committee will analyse the report and consider options regarding the construction of the new £5m, 60-bed care home and day centre.

The facility will replace the two care homes currently operated by the Council in Kirkcaldy, while the savings created by combining the two homes will help fund the investment.

All care homes in the region will eventually be replaced, but Executive member for Finance, Councillor Linda Erskine said the Council was beginning with "those in the worst condition."


She said: "By combining the two homes into one, officers have been able to work up a financial model that will allow us to build a new state-of-the-art replacement care home in Kirkcaldy and also offer day care and wider facilities for older people.

"We have also asked officials to examine the options for building housing for older people. We hope to bring forward further detail of this in the near future, but our objective would be to achieve a care village with a care home and associated facilities at its centre."

Trade unions have welcomed the decision. Joint Trade Unions Secretary Debbie Thompson said: "It is widely acknowledged that we have dedicated and well trained staff in Fife Council homes which has been borne out by the excellent results from Care Commission inspections. I believe this proposal to build new homes will be welcomed by staff who are committed to the people they care for."

The proposal has come about as Scotland considers its increasing older population. The number of people over the age of 75 is projected to increase from the 2010 figure of 29,200 to over 56,000 by 2035.

(IT)