Councillors ignored emotional pleas from families and decided to push ahead with plans to sell off two dementia care homes.

In a move branded “privatisation”, Kirklees Council will enter negotiations with five companies interested in taking on Castle Grange at Newsome and Claremont House in Heckmondwike as “going concerns.”

At a meeting of the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday, families of some of the residents pleaded with councillors to change their minds – but to no avail.

One of the campaigners, Sara Blagbrough whose mum Janet lives at Castle Grange, told the meeting she feared for her mum’s health and wellbeing if a new provider took over.

“I appreciate the council’s financial hardship but can you appreciate our hardship, the sleepless nights and worry if I had to wish my mum was not here anymore? I cannot forgive you for doing that to me and my family.

“I live every day just wanting peace and in a small way Castle Grange has provided that.”

Sara said the mum she knew and loved had already been taken away by dementia and added: “I have already cried those tears and grieve that loss.

“But please don’t have me wishing my mum wasn’t here anymore.”

The council wants to transfer the homes to a private operator by April 2025 saying it could save up to £1.8 million a year.

Families of the 45 residents claim the council hasn’t carried out a full financial appraisal and that was supported by former council leader Clr Cathy Scott who told the Cabinet meeting that the council had based its assessment on a single year.

She went further and suggested that councillors didn’t have the right information and that any decision could be “negligent.”

 

 

The option to transfer the homes was approved and officers will seek a “best and final offer” expected in January with a full transfer by April 2025. Staff will be transferred over.

Clr Beverley Addy, Cabinet member for adult social care and health, said: “We know families of the residents in our care homes are understandably worried at this time of change.

“As part of a previous consultation and the recent engagement exercise, we have continuously highlighted to residents that, should a transfer of ownership occur, residents will be able to remain in the homes where they live. This will allow continuity of care which is what families are most concerned about.

“Now, we will progress talks with interested providers to try to reach a final decision on a transfer. And, as before, we have provided reassurances to families that discussions are only taking place with those providers who are interested in keeping both establishments as dementia care homes.

“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.

“This means identifying a good quality, experienced provider to take over the running of our two dementia residential homes.”

A final decision has been delegated to Clr Addy and the council’s executive director for social care.

 

Hello, my name is Janet. I have Alzheimer’s disease and I’m scared what will happen to me if Kirklees Council sell my home