Madam,

Christmas-time, leading into the 2018 new year, gives us time to reflect on the words uttered at the end of Jesus’ life: “Forgive them they know not what they do”. But I for one cannot relate these words to forgiveness towards the county councillors who recommended and voted for the closure of Bodlondeb Residential Home, Penparcau, Aberystwyth, with the eviction and transfer of all the vulnerable residents. These councillors knew exactly what they were voting for, choosing to ignore the thousands of Ceredigion residents protesting against closure, as presented to them by the ‘Save Bodlondeb Group’, and with excellent press coverage by the Cambrian News.

Lord Elystan Morgan, Ben Lake MP, former MP Mark Williams, AMs Elin Jones and Simon Thomas, and so many all-party long-serving county councillors were all being ignored by a handful of our 42 serving county councillors over the campaign to save Bodlondeb.

The pity is that the vote to approve the Cabinet decision on closure, against referring the issue to full council by Bryan Davies (Llanarth); Marc Davies (Ciliau Aeron); Odwyn Davies (Llangybi); Peter Davies (Capel Dewi); Maldwyn Lewis (Troedyraur); Dan Potter (New Quay); Mark Strong (Aberystwyth North); Lynford Thomas (Llanfihangel Ystrad) and Ifor Williams (Lampeter) reflects on all 42 councillors, which is unfair as we have some very caring and able councillors, many of whom gave their best efforts to save Bodlondeb.

This is not favourable governance that we expect from our elected representatives.

Also disappointing for local residents is that, as secretary of the Save Bodlondeb Steering Committee, my letters to Sarah Rochira, older People’s Commissioner for Wales, and to Vaughan Gething, Health Minister, resulted in my being sent only copies of Guidance Notes which had been sent to all local authorities’ chief executives in September 2012 - ‘When Making Decisions In Respect Of Potential Care Home Closures’. Not exactly helpful to the care home residents facing eviction or our Save Bodlondeb group campaigning to stop closure.

With the ongoing transfer of services from Bronglais Hospital and now closure of Bodlondeb, I do believe that the Aberystwyth area is considered to be an easy target for financial savings whatever the consequences to the residents.

Let us hope that 2018 will bring a more favourable form of governance from our elected representatives with a rethink on the closure of Bodlondeb if at all possible.

Yours etc,

Pat Bates, Maes Maelor, Penparcau, Aberystwyth.

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