Concerns Over The Future Of Aberdeen Voluntary Centre

Councillors in Aberdeen are determined to have their say on the future of a charity’s carers support centre. Cross-party members have voiced concerns that VSA’s decision to close down the “well used and highly visible” service in Belmont Street and relocate it to Castle Street is not the right move.

The organisation, formerly Voluntary Service Aberdeen, insists moving the operation, which provides advice and support for voluntary carers, would ensure that services would be integrated and the upgraded accommodation would have access for disabled people.

But councillors say they have been contacted by carers who are unhappy about the move and want to debate the matter more fully at a full council meeting on April 25.

They argue that, given the city council owns the property VSA currently occupies on Belmont Street and picks up the charity’s £29,000-a-year lease costs, they should be given a say on what happens to it.

Liberal Democrat councillor Neil Fletcher and Labour’s June Lamond both said carers had “raised concerns” about the plans. Mrs Lamond said Castle Street was not the “best location” for the support and advice centre because clients, who often accompany carers, would have problems accessing the new site.

SNP councillor Jim Kiddie, a mental health campaigner, added: “We support VSA and it will take the unilateral decision but we can legitimately claim an interest in terms of finance.

“Constituents are quite concerned about the removal of the centre.”

Aileen Malone, vice-convener of the committee said VSA had taken on board member’s concerns and would not “go into this lightly”.

Bob McDonald, director of VSA’s adult and community services, insisted that widespread consultation on the move had been carried out. He added that the organisation did not believe that the move would in any way detract from the visibility of carers services in the local area and will only improve on the service.

Mr McDonald said that the overall cost savings would be reinvested into the improvement of services.

The carer’s centre is expected to be in place at its new home by November 2008.