Editor

I refer to your article by Antony Gedge in last week’s issue of the Cambrian News headed ‘Dismay as town loses 24 care beds’, informing your readers that the sale of the former Bodlondeb residential home, Penparcau to Kim McKay the operator of Abermad Nursing Home has fallen through, the site now being offered to registered social landlords - and if no acceptable bids to sell the site on the open market.

Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet of eight councillors out of 42 elected - will meet on Monday, 16 March, to confirm their decision not to continue with the conveyance to Kim McKay offering EMI (Elderly Mentally Infirm) care. There will also be a meeting on this day by the Corporate Resources Overview Scrutiny Committee.

There is the strongest feeling that I can recall for many years on local authority decisions by the electorate by all those who have contacted me as secretary of the North Ceredigion Forum For Elderly Care.

They have all, without exception, informed me that all 42 of our county councillors should insist that Bodlondeb be sold to the present applicant of purchase for EMI care for a nominal £1. This will ensure the provision of this care locally to ensure our elderly mentally infirm are not banished to out of county care with all the heartbreak this brings to their families.

Yes there is a risk as with all long-established and new businesses in today’s climate, but there is no alternative.

All 42 of our county councillors must be seen to be representing their elderly and infirm.

Patricia Bates Maes-Maelor Penparcau

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