Issue details

In October 2020 Executive Board approved a period of consultation on proposals to close Home Lea House Long Stay Residential Care Home in Rothwell, and Richmond House Short Stay Residential Care Home in Farsley.

This report summarises the findings of that consultation; the impacts of the proposals on affected residents, family / carers, staff, and the wider local communities; and the proposed mitigating options, which overall are that the vast majority of respondents are strongly against the proposed closures of both care homes, and would want the financial savings to be found elsewhere.

The Council’s own view is that the Council has many priorities to meet the needs of its citizens but given the outlined challenging financial context for local authorities, the Council unfortunately has insufficient funding to meet all of these. The proposals will not reduce or remove the care of our most vulnerable people now or in the future; the proposals are principally based upon insufficient demand for our residential beds and therefore providing the same service at a reduced overall cost which in turn helps the Council deliver more of its citizens’ needs.

As such, this report is recommending that Executive Board approve the closure of the two care homes.

The estimated land valuation for potential residential use of the two sites is confidential information as it is commercially sensitive. This information is held within Appendix 7: Confidential. Estimated Land Valuation.

Calverley and Farsley, Rothwell

If a decision is made to close the care homes, residents would be supported to transition to alternative residential accommodation that meets their individual needs.

Those who use the homes for planned respite would be supported to ensure this provision can be continued in a new location suitable to meet the individual’s needs.

The programme would continue to work closely with all the affected staff and Trade Unions with a view to retaining and redeploying staff into other council services, so their good practice, skills and experience is retained.

Various impacts were identified by respondents to the consultation across themes including people’s health and wellbeing, quality, finance, locality, strategic and methodology. These are detailed in the report.

The total saving of closing Home Lea House and Richmond House is estimated at £1.531m, in a full year. The part year saving in 21/22 is estimated to be £0.420m.