Care home transfer plan to move forward

Senior decision makers at a West Yorkshire council have agreed to enter advanced negotiations over transferring two care homes to private ownership.

Castle Grange in Huddersfield and Claremont House in Heckmondwike, both of which care for residents with dementia, are currently under the stewardship of Kirklees Council.

The authority had initially intended to close the homes as part of its efforts to find £47m in savings, however in March it agreed keep them open but look to transfer them to a private operator.

Families of residents have opposed the idea, but the council has now agreed to enter a six-week consultation with staff and families ahead of any transfer.

The council's decision at a meeting earlier means it can progress negotiations with private operators to the point of agreeing a contract.

The cabinet will have to make a final decision on the matter after the consultation ends.

Campaigners who fought against the closure of both homes cried "shame on you" as the proposal was agreed.

Kirklees Council leader Carole Pattison said: "We are faced with a situation where we have to make some very, very hard decisions as to what we can afford to continue to provide by way of service.

"We've been able to find some private sector providers so we can transfer these homes to them.

"We're not closing them, because we never wanted to close them."

Campaigner Sara Blagborough said family members living in Castle Grange and Claremont House were "at risk again"

"We are extremely worried for our loved ones," she said.

"Quality of care is going to go down. Staff may leave because the employment rights wouldn't be the same."

The families of residents said they have no guarantees services currently offered, including specialist dementia care, would continue.

The homes had both been earmarked for closure in the autumn of 2023 as part of a wider programme of cuts worth around £47m, which the council said was needed to balance its budget.

But in February the authority announced they would stay open, with the caveat that it was seeking new operators to hand the homes over to.

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