Kirklees Council say they have three potential buyers interested in their two dementia care homes.

The council had originally wanted to close both Castle Grange at Newsome and Claremont House in Heckmondwike but backed down after an emotional campaign by families of the residents.

The council pledged to continue to run the homes in the short term but would look for private sector operators willing to buy them.

Now a report to the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday October 8 reveals there are three operators interested in taking on the homes as a going concern.

Council officers are now asking for authority from Cabinet to consult with staff and families and enter detailed negotiations with the operators. Those negotiations would include drawing up a contract, which would have to be finally signed off by councillors.

Families want the council to continue to run the homes and say any disruption could be harmful to their loved ones.

The council, however, needs to save around £30 million this year and the homes are costing up to £1.5 million a year to run. It is also estimated the buildings will need £1.4 million in repairs and improvements in the next five years.

Seven years ago the council tried to sell the homes but ultimately there was no interest. The council is to insist the homes remain as they are, with residents and staff transferred to the new operator.

 

 

A report to Cabinet says seven operators were initially interested in taking on the homes as a “going concern” but now just three remain and none had yet visited the premises or carried out any checks.

The report warns that even if negotiations take place there is “no certainty” that any deal will be done.

The council expects to receive a payment for the business “reflective of the potential opportunities and liabilities and risk” but accepts that amount may be less than the value of the buildings alone.

The council says it has three options: do nothing; sell the homes as a going concern; or close the homes.

Closing the homes was previously rejected but the report adds that the “financial position of the council has since worsened.”

 

 

Clr Beverley Addy (above), Cabinet member for adult social care and health, said: “We listened to the feedback from families of residents who were understandably worried about the impact that proposals to close the homes, and the subsequent need to move, would have on the wellbeing of their loved ones.

“We took this onboard and invested in looking to find an independent sector operator to keep them open.

“I would like to reassure everyone that we are only speaking with providers who would like to continue operating both sites as dementia care homes. This will allow continuity of care for residents as they will not be required to move out of the homes.

“Our residents deserve the highest quality of care, and we will endeavour to make sure any new owners meet our high standards.

“A change of care home ownership is not uncommon in the social care market, and we have seen this happen for a variety of reasons. The families of residents and our staff will once again be consulted during this process.

“Withdrawing from dementia residential care would mean the council could focus direct care delivery in parts of the market where there are fewer providers and options for people.

“This would mean making the best use of the care home bed capacity across Kirklees and therefore supporting the council’s aim to enable people to remain independent at home for as long as possible.

“Like other councils across the country, we are faced with increasing demands for adult social care meaning we must look at how we can make the best of the limited resources available to us.”