'Complete rethink' urged on sale of care homes

A councillor has called for a "complete rethink" of plans to privatise two care homes in Kirklees.

Senior councillors confirmed in December a decision to sell off Castle Grange in Huddersfield and Claremont House in Heckmondwike as part of efforts to save money.

But this was called in by opposition councillors, and on Friday the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel recommended Kirklees Council put the plans on hold.

Green councillor Andrew Cooper, who led the eight-strong group opposing the plans, welcomed the move, saying it would give "reassurance" to residents' families.

Kirklees Council, which said Castle Grange and Claremont House were losing more than £800,000 a year, had received five bids to operate the homes.

But opponents called for further scrutiny, with Cooper citing "concerns about financial discrepancies and opaqueness in the business case for handing these homes over to the private sector".

Campaigners including residents' families had also fought the plans, questioning claims about how much money would be saved by transferring the facilities to the independent sector.

Notes from Friday's meeting agenda stated that "all resident families were contacted and offered one-to-one consultation meetings" but the public were not allowed to attend the session.

They added: "Disposal of the care homes will allow the council to focus resource on specialist activity where there are market gaps or where only the council can play a market facilitating role (eg Knowl Park House new dementia facility).

"Any increase in fees will be at the discretion of the new provider."

Cooper said: "It was clear during the meeting that the cabinet had only relied on one year's evidence to come to a decision on the homes.

"It is time to completely rethink this proposal and to retain the care homes under council control.

"This will give reassurance to the families of residents regarding the quality of care in these two well-regarded homes."

Kirklees Council said: "Cabinet will now look to address the points raised during the meeting before a decision is made on next steps.

"Our priority remains the health and wellbeing of our care home residents, their families and our staff."

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