Editor

In the effort to gather information as to what the future may hold for the site of the former Bodlondeb residential home, members of the public and some county councillors are hitting the same brick wall of ‘confidential for commercial reasons ‘.

It is perhaps reasonable to be of the opinion that the closure of Bodlondeb and the subsequent increase in the number of people whose care needs were not fully being met by Ceredigion council are firmly linked to one another.

There was a lack of information about a bid to buy Bodlondeb and open an EMI (Elderly Mentally Infirm) nursing home. The council seem to be repeating mistakes made when closing Bodlondeb again with its sale. It is too easy for the county council to block inconvenient requests for information on ‘commercial confidentiality’ grounds. Even if there is a genuine reason that facts do not become public immediately, surely it is desirable that we have a fully informed council, who can make fully-informed decisions on matters as serious as this.

Bodlondeb has been closed for two years. The bid currently before the council has been with them over a year.

There are only seven EMI places in the whole of Ceredigion. The next closest suitable homes are in Newtown or Llandovery.

There is a Cabinet meeting on 25 February when it is thought they will discuss the final future of Bodlondeb. This decision should be made after discussion with a full, fully-informed set of county councillors.

On 24 February, there will be an information-sharing event at The Hwb, Penparcau, at 7.30pm. This open event to learn more about the proposal for a new, refurbished Bodlondeb.

The reaction to this issue on social media has been overwhelmingly in favour of avoiding splitting families up by moving spouses or parents out of county. As the current transformation of health and social care states that the views of the public be sought perhaps these opinions may inform the collaborative work of the Ceredigion social services and Hywel Dda Health Board.

• As communities count the cost of storms Ciara and Dennis, please spare a thought for those who are obliged to work outside. Especially those contractors who have been working on a promontary above the harbour, unprotected from and subject to high waves and 90mph winds.

I bet they can’t wait to complete the contract on the old Plas Morolwg site and hand it over for its real purpose; to house the vulnerable and infirm people of north Ceredigion.

George Holloway Rhoshendre, Waunfawr Aberystwyth

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