There seems no alternative, given the restrictions on council spending, to involve a partner in the building and running of care homes. Only one of the council’s existing facilities is up to the latest standard, and replacement with fewer, larger, units is the best option. The partner may be a commercial or a not-for-profit organisation. That partner will be chosen with care, having regard to their record.

I have deliberately used the vague term “involve a partner” because there are several options. These are laid out in a consultation paper obtainable here.  The cabinet member for Social Care does have a preferred option, but I was assured that the consultation would be genuine.

One might expect that a Liberal Democrat would be enthusiastic for a scheme which promises to deliver a service more economically than the council could do, but care of the elderly is a sensitive subject. The scope for efficiency savings is narrow, and pressure must inevitably fall on wage costs. For that reason, rigorous standards must be set and monitored.  Director of Social Services, Health & Housing, Tony Clements, has promised that this will be done.

During the Scrutiny hearing, I – along with Labour’s Councillor Scott Jones (Cymmer) – also emphasised the need for good transport links, especially public ones, to the new care homes, seeing as how more old people would be settled a greater distance from their previous neighbourhoods than at present.

Finally, it should be emphasised that, whatever scheme is adopted, no existing home will be closed until a replacement is up and running.

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