Plans to privatise two Kirklees Council dementia care homes are to come under the microscope.

The council’s Cabinet voted to go ahead with moves towards selling off Castle Grange at Newsome and Claremont House in Heckmondwike but now that decision has been ‘called in’ by eight opposition councillors.

The group, led by Green Party leader Clr Andrew Cooper but including Liberal Democrat and independent councillors, say the decision must undergo a rigorous review.

The ‘call in’ means a Scrutiny Panel of councillors will look at the evidence behind the decision and make recommendations to Cabinet. The recommendations are not binding, however, and the Cabinet can still go ahead with its original plan.

Families of the 45 residents at the two homes want both to stay under council control, saying the ‘privatisation’ threatens their loved ones’ care and long-term health. However, the council says the homes are losing money and closure could save up to £1.8 million a year.

The figures are disputed by critics who claim the real cost is closer to £800,000 a year and that the higher figure, including add-ons such as depreciation of assets, was “deliberate misinformation” which undermined public trust in council decision-making.

The campaigners say the council spent £1.84 million on agency staff for the two homes in 2023-24 and if they used directly employed staff, costs would be slashed.

Occupancy levels have been kept as low as 57% and the group also says that if the homes were fully occupied they would be closer to viability.

At last week’s full council meeting campaigners from Save Our Kirklees Dementia Care Homes submitted a near 10,000-signature petition against the privatisation.

At the meeting Sara Blagbrough, whose mum Janet lives at Castle Grange, said: “Privatisation will most probably result in low standards of care of our loved ones, increased fees, eviction of our loved ones – resulting in deterioration – and, in the worst case scenario, end of life. Residents across Kirklees are saying no.”

 

Sara Blagbrough and her mum Janet

 

Clr Cooper, who represents Newsome, is the lead signatory to the ‘call in’ and has support from Lib Dem leader Clr John Lawson (Cleckheaton) and Community Independents leader Clr Ali Arshad (Heckmondwike).

The other signatories are Independent councillors Imran Safdar (Crosland Moor & Netherton), Mus Khan (Dalton) and Charles Greaves (Holme Valley North) and Green councillors Karen Allison and Sue Lee-Richards (both Newsome).

Clr Cooper said: “I am pleased that this important and controversial decision by the council will be reviewed in detail. The council sets a high bar of evidence to allow a ‘call in.’

“The areas that they have allowed further investigation of are the financial rationale for privatisation and concerns about financial discrepancies and opaqueness in the business case for handing these homes over to the private sector.

“I am grateful to the campaigners from Save Our Kirklees Dementia Care Homes for their help in compiling a dossier on the council’s proposals. This was invaluable in helping draw up the evidence needed to make the case for a fresh look at this controversial decision.

“Families are understandably concerned about the standard and certainty of care that their loved ones will receive if the homes are transferred to the private sector. Evidence they have compiled justifies those concerns.”

 

Clr Andrew Cooper with Clr Sue Lee-Richards (left) and Clr Karen Allison

 

The council has said there are five companies interested in taking on the homes but they have not been identified for reasons of commercial confidentiality.

The campaign group’s dossier names the companies they say have expressed an interest. The dossier says none of the providers have “relevant experience or expertise” in the care of patients with advanced dementia.

Only one provider is in dementia care but that is only a recent move and they have not had a Care Quality Commission inspection and have no “proven track record.”

Clr Cooper added: “I am disappointed that the council has not allowed Scrutiny to investigate concerns regarding potential providers, or evidenced concerns regarding risks to residents or continuity of their care.

“I urge the Cabinet to take seriously any recommendations they receive from the panel.”

The Adult Health and Social Care Scrutiny Panel, chaired by Clr Jo Lawson, will meet early in the New Year.

 

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