By Joshua Robinson –
Kirklees Council has approved plans to look into privatizing two of its dementia care homes in a bid to overcome the council’s £47m budget deficit.
Kirklees Council previously proposed shutting down Castle Grange, in Newsome, and Claremont House, in Heckmondwike, and moving residents to other homes.
But, after a campaign by the residents’ families, the homes were kept open.
On Tuesday 12th March, a meeting was held where councillors received consultation from staff, service users, families, and other stakeholders, who gave their views on the proposals for the care homes.
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During the meeting, the plans to look into transferring the care homes to the independent sector were approved.
Councillor Jackie Ramsay, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “As we are facing increasing demands for and costs of social care it’s right that we look at how we can make the best of the limited resources available to us. There has been a lack of sustainable, long-term funding for social care from government which means, like other councils, we are now having to make some tough decisions.”
Both Castle Grange and Claremont House will continue to remain open and Kirklees Council in the meantime will aim to fill the available beds in both homes whilst exploring options of privatizing the homes.
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