Campaigners fighting to protect the futures of their loved ones have been given a glimmer of hope, as controversial plans to privatise Kirklees Council’s two residential dementia care homes have been ‘called-in’ for review.
Earlier this month, Cabinet agreed that the transfer of Castle Grange at Newsome and Claremont House at Heckmondwike to private sector operators could be completed, with five potential operators said to be interested at the time. This came despite major opposition from families, members of the public and elected members, with a petition of well over 9,000 signatures against the plans handed in at a Full Council meeting.
Now, the unpopular decision has been ‘called-in’ by eight councillors and will be scrutinised by a panel made up of members who are not in the Cabinet. This panel will review the evidence behind the decision and can make recommendations to the Cabinet, though these would be non-binding, with Cabinet still free to pursue its original plan.
Green Party Leader, Cllr Andrew Cooper, was the Lead Signatory of the ‘call-in’ with support from Lib Dem Leader, Cllr John Lawson, and Community Independents Leader, Cllr Ali Arshad. Other signatories were Independent councillors Imran Safdar, Mus Khan, Charles Greaves and Green councillors Karen Allison and Sue Lee-Richards.
Clr Andrew Cooper.
Councillor Cooper said: “I am pleased that this important and controversial decision by the council will be reviewed in detail. The council sets a high bar of evidence to allow a ‘call in’. The areas that they have allowed further investigation of are the financial rationale for privatisation and concerns about financial discrepancies and opaqueness in the business case for handing these homes over to the private sector.
“I am grateful to the campaigners from ‘Kirklees Save Our Dementia Care Homes for their help in compiling a dossier on the council’s proposals. This was invaluable in helping draw up the evidence needed to make the case for a fresh look at this controversial decision.
“Families are understandably concerned about the standard and certainty of care that their loved ones will receive if the homes are transferred to the private sector. Evidence they have compiled justifies those concerns.”
Some of the key issues highlighted in the dossier are financial “discrepancies” in the figures quoted by the council, none of the potential providers having a “proven track record” in advanced dementia care. In addition, concerns have been raised that the council’s talks of the “continuity of care” for residents have been “false promises”, with providers free to evict them or increase fees.
Councillor Cooper added: “I am disappointed that the council has not allowed scrutiny to investigate concerns regarding potential providers, or evidenced concerns regarding risks to residents or continuity of their care.
“I urge the Cabinet to take seriously any recommendations they receive from the panel.”
The Adult Health and Social Care panel is chaired by Independent, Cllr Jo Lawson, and will meet to consider the ‘call-in’ early in the New Year.
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