Complaint over Dumfries and Galloway Council care closure moves

A formal complaint has been made against a council’s handling of plans to shut its centres for adults with learning disabilities.

Dumfries and Galloway Council ended up dropping proposals to close four Activity and Resource Centres (ARCs).

But a complaint has now been made to the Care Commission by a representative of one of the service users.

A DGC spokesman said it was aware of the move and would co-operate fully with any investigation.

The council considered closing the ARCs as part of wider moves to reduce its overall spending levels.

That prompted a campaign against the plans and the proposals were eventually dropped.

However, Chris Green, who acts as attorney for a service user at Castle Douglas ARC, has now made a formal complaint about the whole process.

‘Great upset’

He wants the Care Commission to investigate the situation and ensure that families were properly consulted.

He said that a continued “lack of information” about the future of the centres was still causing “great upset”.

The council issued a short statement in response to the move.

It said: “We are aware that a complaint has been made to the Care Commission.

“The council will, of course, co-operate fully with any investigation that the Care Commission deems appropriate.”