Opportunity Missed in Aberdeenshire as Councillors Vote Against an Aberdeenshire Care Charter

Today Aberdeenshire Council rejected an opportunity to develop a local Care Charter which would have affirmed the value placed in the workforce and committed to enhancing the quality of care delivered to residents in local communities.

Labour Councillor Alison Evison and SNP Councillor Ross Cassie had proposed developing an Aberdeenshire Care Charter following the recent rejection of Unison’s Ethical Care Charter by the Integrated Joint Board for Health and Social Care.

Councillor Alison Evison said:

“Councillors from across the Chamber had told us that they shared the vision of the Ethical Care Charter, but they could not support it due to significant legal advice around the payment of the Living Wage in commissioned services. We believed, however, that there would be benefits to staff and to people receiving care from highlighting the core principles around good working practices which are supported in Aberdeenshire. We are disappointed that the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Leadership could not unite with us today around a wider Fair Work dimension. This would have been such an important statement to staff in these increasingly challenging times.”

Councillor Ross Cassie said:

“It is disappointing that all members present at the meeting of Full Council today were using the correct wording and agreeing that Fair Work Practices are demonstrated within the council, while also aspiring for those to be replicated elsewhere with our commissioned services, but that even so the administration councillors could not demonstrate that with action in the formulation of an Aberdeenshire Care Charter. We are judged by our actions and not our words.”