Decision details

The Interim Director of Social Services presented the report, which provided the Cabinet with the opportunity to consider the outcome of the consultation on the preferred options on the future provision of accommodation for older people in each of the Council’s nine residential care homes.

The Service Director of Democratic Services and Communication then provided the Cabinet with the feedback of the Overview and Scrutiny 2022-2027 Committee, which considered the report at its meeting held on 27^th February 2023. A formal letter had been circulated to the Cabinet prior to the meeting but the Service Director took the opportunity to summarise its key points:

• Many members acknowledged the strong public opposition to the Garth Olwg proposal;
• A Majority of members have recognised the case for change;
• Many members have identified the need to see proposals to invest in all facilities come forward as soon as possible;
• A comment was made by one member in respect of the focus of the report upon capacity rather than addressing a better geographical spread, and local access to such facilities;
• A member asked for reassurance that the Council is ‘confident’ when reducing capacity, there is ‘resilience’ in the community to support people to live independently longer; and
• A majority of the Committee commented upon the need for greater capacity for dementia as part of the proposals.

The Cabinet Member for Health & Social Care took the opportunity to thank officers for the comprehensive report, which set out for the Council’s continued modernisation programme of investment in care homes, despite the current financial position. The Cabinet Member was in support of the proposals that sought to provide dignity and respect in old age with modern, state of the art care homes, including provision for more complex needs and learning disabilities in adulthood. In respect of the extensive public consultation undertaken, the Cabinet Member noted that it was largely positive with residents welcoming the investment. The Cabinet Member spoke of the concerns raised regarding the Garth Olwg proposal and took the opportunity commend Councillor G Stacey for raising a number of issues raised on behalf of residents and staff in retaining the care home at Garth Olwg, whilst welcoming a new facility for adults with learning disabilities.

The Leader emphasised that although the care provided by staff was excellent, several of current homes did not meet the new modern-day standards. The Leader advised that the remodelling of the rooms to include ensuites etc was considered but that it would prove to be challenging with residents needing to be moved more than once, which was strongly condemned by the Older People’s Commissioner.  

The Deputy Leader thanked the Director for the report and spoke positive of the change to Ferndale recommendation to increase capacity, following consideration of the consultation responses.  The Deputy Leader fully appreciated the anxiety any change creates, but felt it was important to acknowledge that it would not be right by the service or future users, to continue with the status quo, and commented that it was essential through investment, to adapt to the needs and demands of future generations.

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Leisure spoke positive of the report and the significant investment to meet the needs of the local communities. The Cabinet Member noted that the consultation was well-received but acknowledged the concerns of residents in respect of the Garth Olwg proposal, which had also been noted by the Scrutiny Committee. However, the Cabinet Member emphasised that the investment would provide alternative accommodation with care to support people with learning disabilities in adulthood.

In respect of the concerns raised from residents in terms of the Garth Olwg proposals, the Leader noted that within 5 miles of Garth Olwg, there were two other Council care homes, private care homes and two extra care facilities. The Leader noted that Garth Olwg was operating at a 50% rate, which wasn’t likely to increase and advised that there were vacant beds in the neighbouring facilities. The Leader emphasised that there was a need for capacity and resilience in the system and explained that the proposals would provide a substantial level of surplus capacity, despite the small reductions. The Leader spoke of the Council’s current extra-care facilities and Cabinet’s visit to the Talbot Green facility, where the feedback was positive.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To consider:

·        the responses to the consultation on the modernisation of the Council's nine residential care homes for older people;

·        the information provided in this report;

·        the Equality Impact Assessment (including Socio-Economic Duty) and Welsh Language Impact Assessment; and

·        the recommendations and comments of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, following its meeting held on the 27^th February 2023, where the Committee undertook pre-scrutiny of the preferred options on the future provision of the Council’s accommodation for older people following the consultation [NOTE: A letter of the Service Director, Democratic Services and Communication was circulated to Cabinet Members prior to the Cabinet meeting and was verbally reported by the Service Director at the meeting].

2.    To retain the current service provision at the five Council residential care homes listed below:

·        Clydach Court, Trealaw

·        Pentre House, Pentre

·        Tegfan, Trecynon

·        CaeGlas, Hawthorn

·        Parc Newydd, Talbot Green

3.    To proceed with the preferred option to permanently decommission Ystrad Fechan residential care home and continue to explore with Linc Cymru and the Health Board the development of land near the existing care home to provide new accommodation with care provision, including 40 extra care apartments and 20 residential dementia care beds, along with other health and social care accommodation options depending on available development space and need, as set out in Section 7 of the report. Following a previous Cabinet decision Ystrad Fechan residential care home is currently temporarily closed and has no residents living there.

4.    To a further report being presented to Cabinet setting out the investment proposals to provide new accommodation with care provision, including 40 extra care apartments and 20 residential dementia care beds in Treorchy.

5.    To proceed with the preferred option to develop land near the existing Ferndale House residential care home to provide new accommodation with care provision, including 25 extra care apartments and 15 residential dementia care beds and decommission Ferndale House residential care home when the new proposed alternative accommodation with care for older people provision is developed, as set out in Section 7 of the report. NOTE: This is an amendment to the preferred option consulted upon which was to provide new accommodation with care with 20 extra care apartments and 10 residential dementia care beds and would increase the care provision in the Rhondda Fach.

6.    To a further report being presented to Cabinet setting out the investment proposal to provide new accommodation with care provision, including 25 extra care apartments and 15 residential dementia care beds in Ferndale.

7.    To proceed with the preferred option to work with Linc Cymru to explore options to develop land near the existing Troedyrhiw residential care home to provide new accommodation with care provision, including 25 extra care apartments and 15 residential dementia care beds and decommission the Troedyrhiw care home when the new proposed alternative accommodation with care for older people provision is developed, as set out in Section 7 of the report.

8.    To a further report being presented to Cabinet setting out the investment proposal to provide new accommodation with care provision, including 25 extra care apartments and 15 residential dementia care beds in Mountain Ash.

9.    To proceed with the preferred option to redevelop Garth Olwg residential care home to provide alternative accommodation with care to support people with learning disabilities in adulthood and decommission Garth Olwg care home for older people when suitable alternative placements are found for existing residents in a home of their choice which meets their assessed needs, as set out in Section 7 of the report.

10. That the decommissioning of Garth Olwg residential care home be concluded by the end of May 2023 and will follow the good practice principles detailed below in paragraph 7.7 of the report and ensure comprehensive support is provided to residents, their families, and staff.

11. To a further report being presented to Cabinet setting out the investment proposal to provide alternative accommodation with care to support people with learning disabilities in adulthood on the Garth Olwg residential care home site.

12. That the Interim Director of Social Services and Director of Human Resources produce a workforce development plan to address the workforce issues raised by staff during the consultation in order to attract, retain and support the development of a stable, talented, and committed workforce to support the delivery of Council’s residential care service. The workforce development plan would be shared with the recognised Trade Unions for views prior to any implementation.