Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Adult Social Services regarding proposals to decommission the counselling and support service known as the Leeds Crisis Centre, which forms part of a wider review of Council provided mental health services.

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report regarding proposals to decommission the counselling and support service known as the ‘Leeds Crisis Centre’, as part of a wider review of Council provided mental health services. The Director referred to the recent emails circulated by individuals expressing concern at the proposal, a petition which had been submitted and to the equality impact assessment carried out in relation to the proposal.  In her detailed introduction to the report, the Director responded to the points raised in the emails and also to the petition.

John Lawlor, Chief Executive of NHS Leeds addressed the meeting and responded to Members’ questions.

The report noted that a full equality impact assessment had been undertaken in respect of the proposals which had been presented for consideration. A copy of the equality impact assessment had been circulated to Board Members for their consideration prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report be noted.

(b)  That the proposal to decommission the Leeds Crisis Centre be approved.

(c)  That the joint approach with NHS Leeds to managing customer and referrer expectations be endorsed, and it be ensured that appropriate signposting / redirection to existing services which can meet the needs of the population be provided.

(d)  That the joint work with NHS Leeds to relocate staff with a planned closure date of June 2011 be noted.

(e)  That having approved the decommissioning of the service provided by Leeds Crisis Centre (as detailed at resolution (b) above), the premises at Spring Road be declared surplus to the requirements of Adult Social Care and handed to Corporate Property Management for disposal.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillors A Carter and Golton required it to be recorded that they both voted against the decisions taken within this minute)