Fresh questions have been raised over how Highland Council has spent money intended to support vulnerable children and families after a Highlands MSP sought urgent clarification over more than £1.4 million allocated to operational costs.
Highlands and Islands Liberal Democrat MSP Morven May MacCallum has written to the council’s Chief Executive asking for a detailed breakdown of spending from the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund following concerns over how the money has been used.
The Scottish Government fund provides annual funding to local authorities to help families who are approaching crisis point by delivering early intervention and wider support.
According to information obtained through a Freedom of Information request, Highland Council has spent £4.3 million from the fund, with around £1.4 million recorded as operational costs, including staff salaries and expenses.
The MSP is now seeking further information on how that operational spending has been allocated and what proportion directly supports services delivered to families.
She has also asked what oversight arrangements are in place to ensure the funding is providing value for money.
Morven May MacCallum said:
“I was concerned by recent press reports revealing that a third of the Whole Family Wellbeing Fund had gone towards council operational costs as opposed to directly supporting local people nearing crisis point.
“I have today written directly to the Chief Executive of Highland Council to seek urgent clarification on how this figure has arisen and what oversight arrangements are in place to ensure spending from the fund represents good value for money.
“At a time where budgets are tight, both for local government and for households, I would expect to see funds earmarked to support the most vulnerable in our community to go directly towards improving their lives and not absorbed into council administration costs.”
The Whole Family Wellbeing Fund was established to help councils provide more joined up support for children and families, with the aim of preventing problems from escalating into crisis.
Highland Council has not yet responded publicly to the questions raised by the MSP.
