Agenda item

The Chair extended her condolences to the family of Councillor Paul Hinge, Councillor for Tirymynach ward who recently passed away. 

Councillor Alun Williams presented the report and recommendations following the consultation on the proposal to transfer the residential care service from Cartref Tregerddan to Hafan y Waun Residential Care Home. On 19.03.2024, the Cabinet agreed ‘To approve to progress with the statutory requirement to consult on the transfer of the residential care service from Cartref Tregerddan to Hafan y Waun Residential Care Home.’ An overview of the public consultation process held from 22.04.2024 and 05.07.024, the key findings, and responses to the key points were provided. Councillor Alun Williams extended his thanks to all for their work with the consultation and to all who had responded.

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions which were answered by Officers present and Councillor Alun Williams. The main points raised were as follows:

·       Cartref Tregerddan currently has 22 residents (17 of which were permanent), but there was capacity for a total of 26 residents. The wing available to the residents at Hafan y Waun could accommodate 20 residents, with some flexibility in the rest of the home.

·       Some Members expressed concern with the proposal to close Cartref Tregerddan, as Ceredigion was deemed an ageing county, which would lead to an increased demand for residential and nursing care.

·       In response to queries raised around whether there were plans to develop Hafan y Waun further, it was noted that the local authority had submitted a 10-year plan for regional capital funding for the county. Partnership work was underway to assess the different types of provisions available in the county.

·       If Cabinet approved the proposal to close Cartref Tregerddan, staff would be transferred with the residents and as the staff were already employees of the local authority, contractual terms would remain the same, but there would be a need to align the rotas of the two homes.

·       Feedback from families that have seen the 2 upgraded rooms at Hafan y Waun has been immensely positive, and some residents have reportedly started to pack their belongings. If approved, all residents would be transferred in one cohort before the end of the year, following discussions with the residents and their families to ensure all needs were met.

·       Reassurance was given that work was ongoing to develop security functions for the Tregerddan residents to leave Hafan y Waun as they wished, as it had a locked door environment in place. It was noted that there was good access to public transport from Hafan y Waun, with a bus stop outside.

·       Every effort was undertaken to facilitate respite care across the local authority’s care homes, although it had been challenging in recent times due to maintenance being undertaken in some homes. Officers were exploring options around how respite care would look in the future and were working with the private and independent sectors.

It was AGREED to recommend that Cabinet:

1.    note the background and rationale for considering the transfer of residents and merger of staff teams between Cartref Tregerddan to Hafan y Waun Residential Care Home.

2.    note the results of the consultation process conducted between 22nd April 2024 and 15th July 2024.

Recommendations 3 and 4 were considered following an amendment to the recommendation proposed by Councillor Carl Worrall and seconded by Councillor Wyn Evans, as follows:

3.    To keep Cartref Tregerddan open.

Following a vote, the result was as follows:

5 For the amendment, 5 Against and 1 abstained from the vote. In this circumstance, the Chair had a casting vote and therefore this recommendation was not agreed.

The Chair then reverted to recommendations 3 and 4 as follows (as per the report):

3.    that it approves the transfer of residents and merger of staff teams between Cartref Tregerddan with Hafan y Waun Residential Care Home.

4.    Subject to the approval of (3) above, to authorise the Corporate Lead Officer – Porth Gofal to:

           i.     Ensure a schedule is drawn up for the resident transfers between homes, in a way that:

a.    balances the need for each individual and their family to have appropriate time to make decisions against the overall need for the closure process,

b.    is to be managed within a timescale that minimises uncertainty for the residents, families, and staff.

Following a vote, 4 were For, 5 Against and 2 abstained from the vote. 

As the amended recommendation (to keep Cartref Tregerddan open) and the original recommendations 3 and 4 were not agreed, the Committee did not have any further recommendations for Cabinet relating to the transfer of residents and merger of staff teams between Cartref Tregerddan and Hafan y Waun Residential Care Home.