Madam,

I am writing on behalf of several residents of my Rheidol Ward who have contacted me regarding the charges paid for the provision of care alarms in Tai Ceredigion’s sheltered accommodation.

I have no criticism of Tai Ceredigion, but am concerned that the grant-holder, Ceredigion County Council, has decided not to carry funding forwards for alarms from 1 April 2019. I am also concerned at the level of consultation undertaken by the council with residents before the change is to be made. Let us remember, some of our most vulnerable residents, with very limited incomes, have utilised this service up until now.

This is a service which provides reassurance and helps keep people independent in their homes. The letter sent by the council to those affected quaintly says “This does not mean you are not able to have an alarm”, but then goes on to say that “This means that you will be responsible for paying for your alarm”.

Some may not be able to. By way of justification, the council says that “Guidance” states that fixed alarms cannot now be paid for by Supporting People Funds, but does not explain why. The council also says that the system is not an equal one for all members of Ceredigion’s community, which begs the question if that is the case as to why the system worked well, without complaint, for so many years.

The letter to my residents also makes the statement “All change is unsettling”. In that assertion the council is right. But they are the ones who are unsettling elderly and vulnerable residents, and they should think again.

Yours etc, Cllr Mair Benjamin, Liberal Democrat town councillor, Rheidol Ward, Chair of Aberystwyth 50+ Group, Aberystwyth.

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