COUNCILLORS will be asked to rubber stamp plans this week to dissolve their arms-length care company.

SB Cares has been blighted by poor inspection reports, controversial closures and staffing scandals since its establishment on April 1, 2015.

The arms-length company, which employs 870 staff, provides services for 12,000 clients across the Borders.

Although the Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) has made some of the financial savings predicted in its five-year business plan, the efficiencies haven't been enough to satisfy chiefs at Newtown St Boswells.

And a report, which is being presented to members on Thursday, outlines the reasoning behind taking back control.

Chief financial officer David Robertson stated: "The delivery of savings has been variable over the first four years of operation and it is doubtful whether there is capacity within the business to generate further significant financial benefits under the current operating model.

"It seems reasonable to conclude, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the majority of benefits have not been delivered solely due to the nature of the LLP and several could have been delivered by the council adopting similar approaches.

"Recently concerns have emerged with regards to the safety of some individual services, and the challenge of meeting the requirements of the Care Inspectorate.

"Given the limited capacity issues which exists within the stand alone business it is not considered likely, however, that the arms-length model will be able to drive forward significant further improvements in quality scores."

The detailed report shows that SB Cares has come up £822,000 short in predicted efficiencies for its first four years.

Savings of £3.65 million were achieved, which included £600,000 from a change in accounting policy, £220,000 by closing its Bordercare alarm centre in Galashiels, the closure of catering kitchens, a review of management structures and staff rotas, and tighter absence management.

But the savings have come at a cost to Scottish Borders Council with the local authority's HR, payroll and IT staff providing dedicated support and services.

And the report shows that it costs an additional £360,000 to run SB Cares every year as an arms-length company.

While the finances haven't met expectations, the standard of care hasn't improved either.

The Care Inspectorate has regularly identified failings and ordered improvements, with only one of the vast network's services, St Ronan's Care Home, achieving an 'excellent' rating.

Recent visits by Scottish Borders Council bosses to the other care homes operated by SB Cares has found poor standards.

Mr Robertson's report stated: "The Chief Executive has instructed a variety of direct interventions, including additional management capacity and instructing immediate action to improve the quality and cleanliness of the environment within care homes.

"By reintegrating the service with the council, greater clarity can be achieved in both the strategic direction and operational delivery of adult social care services."

Councillors are being recommended to rubber-stamp the voluntary termination of SB Cares from December 1 and reintegrate all of its service back within the control of Scottish Borders Council.