Madam,

I write as secretary to the North Ceredigion Forum for Elderly Care to say that the full attendances at our meetings by so many members with professional knowledge of expected and statutory duties of our local county council leads me to question an email received by the forum from Carys James of the county council on 16 April which read: ‘’Unfortunately due to the nature of the meeting we are unable to attend.”

Ms James, head of social care for the council, and Cllr Alun Williams, Cabinet member for services to adults, had previously accepted the forum’s invite to a public meeting in the Neuadd Goffa Hall, Penparcau, which is to be held on 31 May.

Peter Skitt, director of Hywel Dda University Health Board, also accepted the invite to attend, being aware that both patients and their families are asking for enlightenment on services which will be available for them.

It was decided in last week’s meeting that the forum would have to establish what Ceredigon County Council perceives as "the nature of the meeting", a meeting arranged for the citizens to establish information on the ‘minefield’ of social service care available for the elderly and infirm.

The forum members expressed a belief that this reversal of attendance seems to contradict the ‘Local Code Of Corporate Governance’ (page 15), ie where it says: “The council is committed to seeking continuous feedback from citizens and service users when considering options for service improvement and/or reduction of service".

The forum is sympathetically aware of the huge responsibility of the underfunded social services statutory duties placed on the county council but being available to keep their service users ‘in the know’ costs very little, if nothing, and is an expectation of them.

Yours etc, Pat Bates, Secretary, North Ceredigion Forum for Elderly Care.

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