No consultation over Dunmuir Park

Thursday, June 08, 2006 - Galloway News (Visit Web Site)

CASTLE Douglas councillor Andrew Campbell has expressed his “concern” over the growing uncertainty surrounding Dunmuir Park.

In a letter to Fraser Sanderson, corporate director of education and community services, Councillor Campbell called for him to provide some “much needed stability” for all involved by providing a progress report for the next meeting of the Adult Services Sub-Committee (ASSC).

In the letter, dated June 1, Councillor Campbell said: “Clearly as a council we should be ensuring this issue is handled sensitively and with the full involvement of the people most affected by this decision. I appreciate there requires to be continued discussions with residents and their carers to ensure the individual circumstances of all residents are fully considered.”

Despite this statement, according to the Dunmuir Park Protest Group, none of the families or residents has yet been contacted for consultation, as agreed at the public meeting of April 26.

Councillor Campbell added that he is fully in support of the decision taken to close the hostel.

He adds: “I supported this move with a provision that Dunmuir Park should not close until the right facilities were available. This included the community aspect of Dunmuir Park which I understand the staff are working on so that everyone has the opportunity to meet in a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy each other’s company.”

The Dunmuir Park Protest Group are calling for the decision to close the hostel to be revoked as the only way to remove the uncertainty facing residents and their families.

In a letter to the Galloway News today, the group say that consultation after a decision has been made is impossible.

The group are calling on councillors Maitland, Campbell and Purdie to resign over the management of the issue.