Proposed closure of Argyll & Bute Networks
Argyll and Bute Campaign
What Has Happened?
- Since 2002 there have been 3 Networks in Argyll and Bute: two in Oban and one in Mid-Argyll.
- On Friday 22 January we found out through the Argyll and Bute Council website that a recommendation had been made to elected members that funding for Neighbourhood Networks in the area should end in May to achieve a "quick-win" for the Council as it seeks to make financial savings. This news was out in the public domain without notification or consultation with Neighbourhood Networks or its Members.
- On Tuesday 26 January we had a meeting with Council officials who confirmed what we had discovered. These officials indicated that the decision had been taken because although the service provided is valued, they judged that Network Members did not meet the eligibility criteria adopted last year by the Council.
- On Thursday 28 January the Council’s Executive Committee met and deferred decisions until a meeting of the full Council on 11 February. A number of people demonstrated their anger outside the meeting.
Our View
We think this a very bad decision that was reached in a very disrespectful and ineffective way without consultation with people supported or the organisation itself. All this after a period of 7 years' investment by the Council in the services of the organisation.
It also demonstrates a considerable level of ignorance about the level of support available to people through Network Membership. It is our belief that without Neighbourhood Networks’ input many of the people supported would end up in need for more much more intensive support. The service is about much more than providing social contacts for members. It is about fostering links and lifelines in the community, promoting mutual support, providing crisis intervention and, most importantly, developing the resources that prevent costly (both in human terms and in economic terms) crises from occurring in the first place.
We are a very low cost, valuable service that has proven track record and our flexible support to people in local communities is in line with all research regarding preventative services (http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/joepublic/2010/jan/20/preventive-care-services-nhs-cuts). Our way of working is also in line with current government policy (http://www.swia.gov.uk/swia/files/Guide_to_%20strategic_commissioning.pdf). Neighbourhood Networks ethos and model is also a match for the type of services that local people have indicated they are looking for following a service user consultation exercise by Argyll and Bute Council in the summer of 2009 (http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/moderngov/Published/C00000379/M00003995/$$ADocPackPublic.pdf – see agenda item 5 page 13)
What now?
We have reassured our members in Oban and Mid Argyll that we will continue to provide our flexible and responsive service until further notice. It is important too to reassure our members in other areas that this will have no impact on their service. In the meantime we have been doing all we can as an organisation to fight this decision.
Our Campaign
To date our campaign has involved:
- letter writing to local councillors and MSP’s
- taking part in a demonstration (pictured below) at the Council Buildings in Lochgilphead on 28 January - a demonstration also concerned with the proposal to disband the Local Area Co-ordinator service.
- organising an on-line petition (see bottom of article for link)
- organising paper petitions, which can be downloaded by clicking here: Petition against Proposed closure of Neighbourhood Networks in Argyll and Bute
- inviting the Oban and Argyll newspapers to meet Network Members and hear what they have to say
- a slot on the local radio station drawing attention to the campaign
- a series of meetings set up with local councillors, MP’s, Networks and individual members
- connecting with organisation like Values into Action Scotland and the Learning Disablities Alliance Scotland to raise awareness about the campaign
Members and staff from across the organisation now plan to travel to Lochgilphead for this Thursday's Council meeting (11 February) to protest against the recommendation. We have also made a formal request that a deputation from Neighbourhood Networks should be permitted to address the meeting.
If you would like to show your support for this campaign please sign our online petition below or contact us at our National Office.