THE retiring chairman of Cowdenbeath Area Committee has called for action following the closure of a local social enterprise providing counselling services in the area.

Mark Hood, who steps down as the Cowdenbeath Area chair, following the local government election on May 4, has requested that a full report be produced for the first meeting of the new Cowdenbeath Area Committee.

Popular Crosshill Centre based counselling agency, Urban Therapy, closed its doors two months ago after having been granted £90,000 of funding from the committee.

Speaking to the Times, Mr Hood expressed his concern: "I have seen evidence that would suggest that tax payers' money provided to Urban Therapy for training and counselling services in the Cowdenbeath area was misused by a member of the board to support their personal lifestyle. This needs to be fully investigated and a clear picture of what has happen provided to the area committee.

"I also have real concerns about how the board of Urban Therapy provided governance and ensured that it met its commitment to students and clients. This organisation was working with some of the most vulnerable people in our community, however it would appear that decisions were taken by the board based on the self interest of a few individuals. It is clear that the reports provided to the Cowdenbeath Area were simply not truthful and did not represent what was happening in the organisation."

Mr Hood has also asked the Chief Executive to review the councils policy on employees and their role on external bodies. The councillor explained: "With the board of Urban Therapy including a senior council officer I think the council should review its policy on staff members taking roles in organisations receiving funding from the council."

Mr Hood concluded: "The first priority must be to the clients, students and staff of Urban Therapy who have been so poorly treated. What are NHS Fife doing to ensure clients are receiving the counselling services they need? "What is been done to ensure students are helped into alternative courses and their work at Urban Therapy is recognised?"