Council to review learning disabilities agreement

Date Added - 08/07/09

Moray Council is to review an agreement for the provision of playschemes and social clubs for youngsters with learning disabilities following a contractual mix-up.

It has emerged that the terms of the council’s arrangements agreed with the Aberlour Child Care Trust were not in line with a decision on the provision of the service reached by elected members as part of a review of council-funded youth services.

Members agreed to reduce funding for the service currently provided by the Aberlour Child Care Trust from £115,000 to £56,000, with the bulk of the £59,000 balance being management costs which could be saved by being brought in-house.

That will result in youngsters with special needs and their families receiving a similar level of service as previously at less than half the cost to the council taxpayer.

A council spokesman said: “There will be no change to the service, only to the way it is delivered, and we are confident that all the necessary arrangements will be in place early in the new school session 2009-10, with minimal disruption to the children and young people involved.

“It is very unfortunate that there was a mix-up in the terms of the agreement and that the situation has caused so much confusion and concern, particularly among parents. That was never our intention and we apologise.

“The council can reassure parents that there will be no cuts in the level of service. We are committed to providing a high quality service in this important area while attempting to achieve best value for the council in these difficult economic times.”