MSP DELIGHTED THAT THREAT TO A.R.C REMOVED.

South of Scotland SNP MSP Mike Russell has welcomed the news that Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Corporate Policy Committee have decided to not proceed with the planned consultation on closing four of the regions six Activity and Resource Centres.

Mr Russell said:
                          
“I am delighted that the council have seen sense and removed the ARC closures from the budget proposals. This move whilst in response to the budget cutbacks that have come about because of Labour’s recession and the Westminster removal of £521 million from the Scottish Budget, was the wrong choice to offer up. The ARC’s do invaluable work and are a boon to both clients and family members who know that their  sons and daughters are being well looked after and developing life skills in a friendly environment.”

Mr Russell added:

“Dumfries and Galloway Social Work department need to have a long look at what they have been asked to do and identify savings that do not impact on service users. Identifying savings in a top heavy bureaucracy rather than picking on the most vulnerable in society would be the logical place to start.”

ENDS