Councillors take part in mental health training after planning committee comments

A mental health training session for Wrexham councillors has been deemed a ‘great success’, with a second session planned as the first was oversubscribed.

In March Wrexham.com reported on an application for a low secure unit and housing development in Gwersyllt which saw comments made by several councillors during a planning meeting.

As a result of the comments Cllr Andrew Atkinson, Executive Board member with responsibility for equalities, promised to arrange ‘training’.

We asked Cllr Atkinson about the training, and was told it had been ‘really successful’ and the ‘best training I have been on’.

The topics and discussions that took place are confidential, however Cllr Atkinson said ‘raw and honest’ exchanges took place.

He added: “It was eye opening and engaging, and a different type of training with things broken down into workshops.

“The training was delivered in a helpful and informative way, and although the planning committee meeting was not discussed specifically, the training will give members a better overview in assisting people with mental health issues, not just in meetings, but with ward work and decision making.

The session was delivered by the charity Mind, and Cllr Atkinson wanted to put on record his thanks to Unite The Union who were ‘extremely helpful’.

The session was described as well attended with roughly half of Wrexham’s councillors there, many more than were booked in, resulting some seating issues. The training was held at 10am on a weekday so there is another likely to be held out of hours to allow more councillors to attend.

 You can read more about Mind, the mental health charity, on their website here.