MONEY realised from the sale of Bodlondeb should be ring-fenced for future residential care in the Aberystwyth area, the town council has said.

A motion condemning a county council Cabinet decision to close Bodlondeb was voted through unanimously at a meeting of Aberystwyth Town Council last week.

The motion was tabled by Penparcau councillor Charlie Kingsbury, who labelled the decision a “travesty” and called on the council to maintain an “unbroken and continuing” provision of residential care in the Aberystwyth area.

Two Aberystwyth county councillors who had supported the closure of Bodlondeb declared an interest and left the chamber, despite a final decision having been made by the Cabinet.

Aberystwyth North ward councillor Mark Strong, one of nine members of Ceredigion County Council’s healthier communities scrutiny committee who voted against allowing full council to vote on the closure of Bodlondeb, declared an interest and left the chamber.

Cllr Alun Williams, who represents Aberystwyth Bronglais ward and is one of eight Cabinet members who voted for the closure of Bodlondeb, also declared an interest and left.

Cllr Kingsbury’s motion read: “The Cabinet of Ceredigion County Council voted not so long ago that it would cease the provision of residential care in Bodlondeb by March.

“This runs counter to a motion put forward some time ago by Aberystwyth Town Council, urging the county council to keep Bodlondeb open.

“This wasn’t the only request made by Aberystwyth Town Council in its letter to Ceredigion County Council on this subject, however.

“Alongside expressing a desire to keep Bodlondeb open, Aberystwyth Town Council urged CCC to maintain an unbroken and continuing provision of service in the Aberystwyth area should it decide to close Bodlondeb.

“Furthermore, Aberystwyth Town Council requested that, in the event of closure, the county council ring-fences any funds made available in the capital receipt of the provision of residential care in Aberystwyth."

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