Mental health plan prompts anger

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A mental health charity has accused Angus Council of putting cost before the welfare of its service-users after it unveiled plans to withdraw funding.

The Angus Mental Health Association (AMHA) had received more than £220,000 from the council to provide support to those with mental health needs.

However, the authority recommended the funds be diverted elsewhere as part of moves to put the service out to tender.

Charity members are due to demonstrate against the decision.

Despite being funded by Angus Council since 1995 and forming a partnership with the Scottish Association for Mental Health, the local authority ruled that the organisation should not be permitted to bid for the cash to provide future services in the area.

In a statement, Angus Council said: "Legislation requires all local authorities to invite tenders for services above a certain value, once a current contract ends.

"This is also consistent with both Scottish government and Angus Council policy on opening markets and securing best value for our citizens."

'Absolute closure'

The council added that bidders for the tendering process had been assessed "openly and fairly" and said the successful candidate would be "best-placed to provide a high quality, best value service to the council's clients".

However, Wayne Mathieson from AMHA said the process was about cutting costs.

He also attacked the council's shortlist of bidders, which includes two mental health organisations from Glasgow, one from Edinburgh and one from Sunderland.

He said: "The organisations being considered have no local presence in Angus. It seems quite apparent that this is about putting money before the mental health needs of the people.

"Our biggest concern now is for the people we have been helping. It's incredibly sad that a significant lifeline for our service-users is going to go.

"This will mean absolute closure for us."

Councillors from the authority's Social Work and Health committee are due to consider the issue at a public meeting on Thursday. Protesters demonstrating against the decision are also due to attend.