A north-east councillor has raised concerns about the lack of a replacement for Compass Point, seven months after it closed.
Peterhead member, Stephen Calder, was supportive of the “one-stop” service point in the town which was established to help local residents deal with a range of issues including employment, debt, benefits and housing.
However, Compass Point closed just days before Christmas after it emerged in September that its funding had come to an end.
In the aftermath, Mr Calder is concerned that the needs of the locals who utilised the service are being ignored.
He said: “I have been waiting for the chance to discuss what was replacing the Peterhead one-stop shop, Compass Point, which helped people with multiple needs and found them the right place to go.
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“People used to go there if they were unable to use computers or needed help and the service would either respond or point them in the right direction.
“It hasn’t been replaced directly by anything and I’ve been asked repeatedly about it.
“We’ve been told other services have bridged the gap, but I m not convinced.
“Compass Point was fulfilling a purpose and I can’t see that having disappeared.
“I understand there isn’t the funding for it to stay, but there should be clear measures to signpost where people can go instead.”
However, an Aberdeenshire Council spokeswoman claimed that other organisations in the town were tackling problems faced by local residents.
She said: “The needs of the clients who were involved with Compass Point are still being met by those partners involved, within a range of venues.
“The feedback of partners and clients has been positive and additional services have been put in place through a welfare rights worker within Peterhead Medical Centre, Saturday services delivered through the local Citizens Advice Bureau and the recent poverty summit strengthened the good work which has developed within the local area.
“The clients and partners from Compass Point have been involved in a research project, which has been commissioned to look at future partnership models.
“The outcome of this research will be the basis of any future partnership project.”
