ROSYTH families are fighting council plans to axe the town’s social work office and move the service to Dunfermline.

The office is expected to shut in 2014/15 after being included for closure in Fife Council’s 2010 Office Rationalisation Programme to reduce costs across the Kingdom.

The closure will also affect other West Fife towns, including Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay, and Rosyth Community Council has indicated it will lodge an objection if closure plans go ahead.

Stephen Moore, Fife Council’s interim director of health and social care, wrote to the community council in March saying the office was under-occupied and that the council had been unable to attract any partner organisations interested in using it.

He added, “Employee accommodation is available at New City House in Dunfermline and the social work contact centre telephone contact arrangements mean that there is no longer a requirement for anyone to attend a council office in person to request social work services.” Residents expressed their disappointment at the community council meeting last Tuesday and councillors assured that they would fight the closure.

Councillor Mike Shirkie said, “If it goes ahead, the South West Fife area will be the only area that doesn’t have a social work office. That’s ridiculous.

“There’s been no assessment of the impact on users. If they need to discuss something in confidence, they’ll have to spend £4 to get to New City House.

"We’re going to ask for a closure impact assessment and if that fails then we will push for community use.” Councillor Douglas Chapman added, “It’s a cause for concern that we’re going to lose some of the social work function from Rosyth.

“I think it’s vital that local families access services, especially if it’s a delicate matter. It’s important that there’s a presence in Rosyth.” However, Agnes Gray, the council’s directorate resources manager, said on average, only seven people were using the office a week to arrange appointments.

She added, “The only real change that our clients should notice is the venue. In all other respects the same services will be delivered to the people who need them.

“Our staff already work from a number of different locations using the latest in modern technology and most of our contact with clients is already in their own homes.

“A self-service point has been installed at Rosyth Library giving people access to a range of council services and Inverkeithing Civic Centre and Rosyth Resource Centre will also be available for social workers to meet service users locally but outwith their family home if required.

“The local office network, on behalf of social work, will help answer new enquiries from members of the public, consistent with other parts of Fife.

“This will include use of facilities for customers at Inverkeithing, Dunfermline and at other local office facilities across West Fife.”