A COMMITTEE recommendation for closure of Bodlondeb without an alternative plan for how residential care would be provided in Aberystwyth has been described as “feckless” by former Ceredigion MP Mark Williams.

Mr Williams, the chair of the steering group of the Save Bodlondeb campaign, said the group was devastated after a Ceredigion County Council scrutiny committee agreed by one vote to recommend to Cabinet members that the home should close at the end of March.

That is despite campaign group members addressing the scrutiny committee and raising concerns including the lack of alternative options and the lack of any plan for the future of care services in the area. While social services director Sue Darnbrook said plans for a possible extra care facility at the former Plas Morolwg site were being considered, Mr Williams said that could take years to materialise leaving Aberystwyth with only private home provision.

He said: “We were bitterly disappointed that after such an impassioned meeting with our case being made so effectively, that the scrutiny committee has failed by one vote to agree with us to keep Bodlondeb open. We very much hope that the Cabinet will listen to our concerns, and to that effect every county councillor has been sent our response to the consultation.

“What remains most staggering of all is that no alternative has been presented by the council. There is no Plan A, let alone a Plan B.

“How will the needs of Aberystwyth and the north of Ceredigion be met? What is the alternative? It is indeed feckless to propose closure without a meaningful plan or vision. Some councillors raised that point and were ignored."

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