Madam,

One of the most important responsibiities of Ceredigion County Council, the care of our elderly and infirm, was discussed and voted on in the Healthier Communities Meeting last Thursday, 18 October. The committee voted by a one-vote majority to recommend closure of Bodlondeb Residential Home, Penparcau, Aberystwyth, on 31 March 2018 despite protests by thousands of Ceredigion residents. This committee’s recommendation will be discussed by the Council’s Cabinet on 3 November 2017.

During the meeting, Social Services defended their support of closure by speaking of the proposed forthcoming new build sheltered accommodation availability at Cylch Caron, Tregaron and also the five-storey development at the site of the demolished Plas Morolwg, Pen yr Anchor Lane, with a mix of more than 50 Wales and West Housing Association flats offering specialist care and eight private apartments, as reported on on the front page of last week’s issue of the Cambrian News.

This defence of closure by our county councillors and officials is not what the residents of Ceredigion expect for the care of our elderly - especially when the proposed new build in Pen Yr Anchor Lane, which runs from Aberystwyth Fire Station to Tanybwlch beach, is on a one-vehicle track road with no pavement on either side for most of its way and a sheer drop into the harbour on one side. It is also subject to gale force winds - a no-no for pedestrians and emergency services, and a no-no for our elderly residents.

Can we now be sure that one of the council’s defences for closure - the promise of this new build - is guaranteed a certainty.

The Cabinet should be 100 per cent sure that closing Bodlondeb on such uncertain grounds is in the best interests of residents.

Yours etc.

Pat Bates, Maes-Maelor, Penparcau, Aberystwyth.

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