A COUNCIL row over cutbacks to a ‘vital’ Ealing mental health support service was seemingly resolved last night.

Conservative councillors had issued a ‘call-in’ over the decision to move the Solace Centre, which supports people in crisis, to a smaller space.

The call-in effectively froze plans until Labour council bosses had time to scrutinise the issue further.

However the call-in was rejected as the Labour council pledged to hold further consultations with architects in October to reconfigure the use of Marron House, which hosts the centre.

Space currently occupied by the centre would be converted into two flats.

The recommendation to relocate the centre to a smaller area of the council-owned Marron House has been met with opposition but service user Gerald Crossley is optimistic.

He said: “Some solace was gained through the overview and scrutiny panel last night when a commitment for transparency and three months’ consultation was agreed in order to make sure our vital service is fit for purpose and championed into the future.”

The plan is to have the Solace service re-specified, and tendered out, as part of a combined service on the Marron House site.

As well as an out-of-hours centre for residents and non-residents the service will also offer housing support.

Councillor Joy Morrissey, shadow portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “I welcome the commitment to keep the centre open and I will be holding Labour councillors to their solemn undertaking last night.

“There must be full and open consultation in the coming weeks with all concerned followed by a report back to Overview and Scrutiny in October before any changes are made.”

Cabinet member for health and adult services, Councillor Hitesh Tailor, is confident that the agreement to procure a service that collaborates with the facilities for Marron House residents will be beneficial.

“There is a significant crossover in people who use both services and having them in the same building will be more efficient and effective.

“The agreed option also enables the council to deliver the savings required through the conversion of space on the site with the addition of two supported housing units. This would save money on expensive, out of borough placements.”

Originally, the council planned to close the centre altogether but agreed in March to keep the centre operational but to alter its model of delivery.