Caution over fall in number of Capital children 'at risk'

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WHEN Edinburgh's Liberal Democrat/SNP coalition took control, we inherited a financial mess. The budgets for the two largest departments within the City Council - Children and Families and Health and Social Care - had massive overspend.
To add to that, reserves are at the lowest levels ever. This is not responsible government and not the way we will do business.
Since May, I have had political responsibility for Health and Social Care, which delivers services to Edinburgh's older people and to adults with care needs. I have been impressed by the dedication of staff and the quality of many services.
Nothing, however, can disguise the fact the previous administration did not provide adequate funding for them. We have large waiting lists for key services and half of the disabled people waiting for supported accommodation are living at home with aging parents.
The budgets have also not kept pace with the needs of the increasing numbers of people aged over 75. The council has supported Scotland's free personal care policy and has recently had to refund charges for preparing meals for older people at home.