COUNCIL bosses insist SB Cares staff and clients will not be affected – if the company is dissolved.

As previously reported, councillors will be asked next week to rubber-stamp plans to terminate the arms-length care organisation.

But Tracey Logan, chief executive of Scottish Borders Council says the proposals "would have no impact" if approved.

She said: "We are making it absolutely clear that these plans, if they are approved, would have no impact on the outstanding frontline staff who are an absolute credit to SB Cares, nor will any care for clients be affected in any way.

"All clients will still receive first-class service from the same staff.

"This is purely an administrative process, and we have written to all clients and staff to reassure them of that."

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 if the proposals, which are being presented to members on Thursday, are approved by elected members, the local authority will take back control.

Ms Logan added: "There are challenges facing the care sector right across the country, but we feel there are still opportunities to further improve our services and facilities here in the Scottish Borders.

"While SB Cares has achieved much, including a net financial benefit to the Council of almost £3.7million, we believe little more can be achieved by continuing with the existing arrangement and structure that could not be done with the service back under SBC."