Autism service in £40k funds boost
North Lanarkshire Council aid for transition period
North Lanarkshire Council has pledged £ 40,000 towards ongoing services for autism in the local authority area.
The move came after Scottish Government funding for the One Stop Shop for Autism (OSSA) in Motherwell came to an end.
As part of a transition plan agreed between the council, Scottish Government and HOPE for Autism, the money will fund the transfer of two OSSA staff to HOPE for Autism, with additional short-term funding provided by the government.
Councillor Jim Logue, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said: “I understand that the campaigners who wished to see OSSA continue are disappointed by its closure.
“But it is essential that properly integrated services are available for children and adults with autism and OSSA did not meet that requirement.
“Everyone has to focus on the essential transition to other services and I’m pleased that we have been able to provide this funding and also lead discussions between all the relevant agencies to achieve a transition plan.
“Councillors on all sides of the chamber spoke eloquently in the debate and many have made their views clear. I would like to pay particular tribute to Councillor Paul Kelly, who led the strategic talks between the council, Scottish Government, NHS and Scottish Autism, and Councillor Pat O’Rourke, who has direct family experience of the issues involved.
“Councillors David Baird, Steven Bonnar and Rosa Zambonini should also be recognised in their contribution to the debate and their hard work in pressing the council for a solution.
“We will now make sure that there is a successful transition for OSSA service users, with full recognition of their needs. This funding goes a long way towards securing that.”
At a lively full council meeting on Thursday, the SNP had called for up to £75,000 to be used from Council Contingency Funds as an emergency package to tide over the OSS until a final decision on its future could be made by the new health and social work Integration Joint Board.
However, the Nationalists motion, seconded by Wishaw councillor Rosa Zambonini, was defeated by 30 votes to 24.
SNP Group Leader Councillor David Stocks said: “We are extremely disappointed the Council has refused to keep the One Stop Shop in Motherwell open. Responsibility for its future had passed to the new Joint Integration Board but a few thousand pounds from the council emergency funds would have kept the shop open pending a decision on its future from the new Joint Board.
“It is shocking the other five One Stop Shops for Autism in Scotland have been kept open by their local councils and only North Lanarkshire Council has refused funding. While we welcome the extra £40,000 for autism services, many extras provided to support parents will now be lost with the closure of the shop.”