It was a “dark day” for decision-makers as they pored over cost-cutting measures drawn up to help plug a £14.7 million budget black hole facing Renfrewshire health and social care partnership (HSCP).

Proposals put forward to close a small part of next year’s deficit, amounting to around £3.3m in savings, were examined at the integration joint board (IJB) – the body responsible for oversight of the HSCP – on Friday.

Some of the suggestions – including closing a care home and merging Mirin and Milldale day services for adults with learning disabilities – will now be assessed and discussed with those affected. Final proposals are then expected to be brought before the IJB for consideration in March.

Frances Burns, head of strategic planning and health improvement, said: “We’ve always recognised that the £14.7m budget gap will be exceptionally challenging to bridge and I appreciate the savings we’re presenting are more limited than we had envisaged. This is principally due to a number of risks that we identified early on becoming issues.

“This is just as a result of a number of changes in the IJB’s operating context, which influenced the scale of the savings that we’re able to deliver … While this isn’t the position that we wanted to be in, I would say it’s consistent with what we’re seeing across a number of other HSCPs nationally who are challenged by a deteriorating financial position.”

SNP councillor Jacqueline Cameron, a former chair of the IJB, said: “I just wanted to reflect a wee bit on the gravity of the situation we’re facing today.

“[In] 2017, I became IJB chair and I thought I was facing some difficult situations then but it pales in comparison at what we’re looking at now.

READ NEXT: Campaigner 'banned' from directly contacting council officials over state of cemetery

“I think it’s safe to say that there’s discomfort for all of us in this, especially for the staff who have come in as a vocation and they’re committed to supporting people who are vulnerable and have disabilities and now we’re faced with making these decisions.

“It’s just to let people know that this isn’t something that we’re taking lightly, but unfortunately we’re forced into this position at the moment.”

Fiona Milne, carer representative, said carers are still recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and have “grave concerns” about possible service reductions.

Helen McAleer, whose 50-year-old daughter Amanda attends Milldale, based at the On-X Linwood, previously sounded the alarm over a mooted merger with Mirin day service. “That’s the start of withering on the vine,” she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Laura Howat, head of mental health, learning disability and alcohol and drugs recovery services, told the IJB: “What we have tried to do is protect service for people, very vulnerable people.

“What’s being proposed in the options currently, particularly around Mirin and Milldale, is to be more efficient and to try to do things a bit differently.”

Labour councillor Iain McMillan said: “Today is a really dark day for the IJB here in Renfrewshire. The choices we’re having to make here are unpalatable, as far as I’m concerned.

READ NEXT: More than £100k to be spent on 'urgent repairs' for B-listed building

“We’ve been really pushed into a corner here with a gun against our head and it’s really, really difficult for us.”

Around £8.2m of reserves are also expected to be used in a bid to balance the budget for 2024/25.

“Using reserves absolutely breaks my heart,” Councillor McMillan said. “I liken it to going into your own bank account, taking your money out and just flinging it away. That’s what it feels like.

“We have got reserves there, a reasonable amount of money, and they could be used for so many better things than just to close a budget gap.”

Among other measures brought to the table was the closure of the Flexicare service for young people and adults with a learning disability or autism.

It has also been suggested the ongoing closure of Falcon Day Centre is made permanent and closure of Montrose Day Centre maintained, pending the final outcome of the care home proposal.

The HSCP, which is not alone as a public body in facing financial challenges, has said it will use feedback from discussions with service users, families, carers and staff to plan “the safest way forward” for its services.