Madam,

Following your report of a discussion at Aberystwyth Town Council, a number of comments have been made on social media. The reason firstly, that so many elderly people are having to leave the county in order to get care is due to the lack of ‘nursing care provision’. Responsibility for this has been removed from local authorities by government. That leaves residential homes which, for all sorts of reasons, have a number of spare places. I have been a county councillor for five years. In that time, and for some time previously, there has been uncertainty over Bodlondeb. We are now in a position where decades of under-maintenance has caught up with the building. The roof is at the end of its life, the interior needs a refit, the windows do not have trickle vents, and are anyway in need of replacement, due to the locks and metal fittings being broken. Even if the council was to refurbish, that would mean residents having to leave the building. The fact that the size of the rooms does not comply with legislation makes this even more difficult. Money spent on such an overhaul would go further in building a new building fit for modern standards.

I was only stating the facts as presented to me in that meeting of town council. I also said in that meeting that as a general position I am in favour of public sector provision of services. As a socialist and communitarian I am also in favour of local public sector provision of services to taxpayers that is the best value for their taxes.

I argued for an extended consultation period, I did this because I firmly believe in people’s opportunity to argue their cause, and due consideration to be given to all points of view.

I do not believe that is an unreasonable position to take.

Yours etc, Cllr Mark A Strong, Aberystwyth.

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