There were angry exchanges in the council chamber as Kirklees Council’s Cabinet agreed to enter negotiations over the sale of two dementia care homes to the private sector.

Last year the council back-tracked over plans to close Castle Grange in Newsome and Claremont House in Heckmondwike but now they are to explore transferring them to a private operator.

Opposition councillors spoke out against the “privatisation” at the council’s Cabinet meeting and emotions were running high.

When council leader Clr Carole Pattison attempted to bring the debate to a close, she was accused of “stifling democracy.”

Former council leader Clr Cathy Scott (Community Alliance, Dewsbury East) said: “Each agenda item is not time-limited. I do think families and people who have come here have a right to comment on it.

“As councillors we have a right to talk for as long as we like. This should be talked out. It’s about people’s lives.”

She added: “Democracy is not prevailing because we are being suppressed.”

Clr Mus Khan (Ind, Dalton) asked if she could ask a question, and Clr Pattison replied: “No, you can’t ask a question.”

Clr Khan tried to point out that the minority Labour administration had just 23 of the 69 councillors but Clr Pattison cut across her and said: “This has got nothing to do with the item on the agenda. If you continue with that line of questioning I will ask you to leave.”

Clr Imran Safdar (Kirklees Community Independents, Crosland Moor & Netherton) said Clr Pattison had no right to ask Clr Khan to leave. Clr Pattison retorted: “As chair of this Cabinet and this council I do have a right to ask any councillor who is being disruptive to leave the chamber.”

Clr Tanisha Bramwell (Kirklees Community Independents, Dewsbury West) defended Clr Khan saying: “She is not being disruptive,” but Clr Pattison responded: “Please stop interrupting or I will have to ask you to leave.”

Clr Pattison said there had been enough debate and the Cabinet voted to go ahead with negotiations with three private operators interested in taking over the homes as “going concerns.”

The council says there is no certainty that any deal will be reached as none of the interested parties had even visited the two homes yet.

Cabinet member for health and social care, Clr Beverley Addy, said the council understood the sensitivities and wanted the best for residents and the staff, who would all be transferred to the new operator should a deal be reached.

Clr Addy told families: “We are still listening and still want the best possible homes for your loved ones.

“If and when a provider is found we will work closely with that provider and find the very best way forward possible.”

Despite the objections, Cabinet agreed to progress negotiations to the point of being able to enter into a contract with a private operator.

The next steps include a six-week consultation with residents, their families and staff. The outcome of the consultation will return to Cabinet before a final decision is made.

 

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