Madam,

Plas Morolwg may not be the only unsuitable site chosen for extra-care housing. The Welsh Government acknowledges that “Problems are also apparent... particularly in relation to the location of some schemes. It is important that schemes... prevent residents becoming isolated” (Evaluating Extra Care Schemes in Wales, October 2017).

So, are the councils or the housing associations responsible for choosing isolated sites?

Ceredigion council leader Ellen ap Gwynn claims “Wales and West Housing brought their scheme for Plas Morolwg forward independently”. Yet, immediately following the planning meeting on 14 October, which granted permission for Plas Morolwg, a representative of Wales and West Housing Association when asked ‘why choose extra care rather than social housing for Plas Morolwg?’, answered “because that’s what we were asked for. It’s what we do.”

If the county council didn’t ask WWHA, why should there have been such a seeming rush to ensure that a revised planning application was submitted just four days before the original application was due to expire?

A cynical person could speculate that it is possible to consider that the choice of isolated sites creates a captive audience which may benefit housing associations such as WWHA, whose wholly owned subsidiary Castell Ventures operates care and catering services.

While the council and WWHA seemingly disagree, perhaps there is another hand gently guiding the course of social care in Wales?

Rhondda Cynon Taf council is to consult on a £50m plan to replace 11 residential care homes with new extra-care housing following discussions with management consultants.

No names were mentioned and I do not wish to speculate on the identity of the consultants. However, in the past RCT has had professional contact with PwC. Indeed, PwC has been engaged by a number of Welsh local authorities. They also sponsored the Welsh Local Government Association conference in 2016.

If it was at all possible to suggest that the decisions regarding social policy was somehow being shaped by the recommendations of organisations which have profits as their first concern rather than the wellbeing of people, then things need to change fundamentally.

Yours etc,

George Holloway, Waunfawr, Aberystwyth.

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