OVER a dozen autistic Flintshire residents who were left "abandoned" after losing their place at a day centre over a funding dispute have had them reinstated.

The Leader reported earlier this month that 14 Flintshire residents who had been attending Raby Hall day centre on the Wirral, run by Autism Together, had lost their places.

This was due to a failure by Flintshire Council and Autism Together to come to an agreement on how much the local authority would pay to the organisation to cover the financial black hole left during the Covid-19 lockdown - with the 14 Flintshire residents unable to attend the day centre.

Families of those affected said they felt "abandoned" and "let down", with many of the people attending the day centre needing 24-hour care and support.

However, Flintshire Council and Autism Together have now come to an agreement that the care and support offered by Autism Together for the Flintshire residents can return to pre-Covid arrangements - with its services set to resume in the first week of August.

A joint statement from Neil Ayling, chief officer for Social Services at Flintshire Council and Autism Together chief executive officer Sue Stubbs, states: "Working closely with care providers is a priority for Flintshire County Council and we have come together with Autism Together to ensure that the care and support needed by Flintshire residents can return to pre-COVID arrangements.

“Both the provider and the council are working to ensure appropriate risk assessments are in place for the safe resumption of services in the first week of August.”

Autism Together says it is "pleased" to be able to continue supporting the 14 Flintshire residents, while it discusses a new contract with Flintshire Council.