A petition has been launched to help stop Leeds City Council closing a care home in Farsley.
As reported yesterday, the council will next week debate a raft of cuts, following news that the council was facing a £119m budget shortfall for 2021/22. The cuts are partly due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on council services and revenue collection.
Part of the proposals to save money include the closure of Richmond House, a 20-bedded residential service offering short-term care and support to people who require a period of recovery following a hospital admission. The service also offers support to people from the community to prevent hospital admission.
A petition to save the facility has already collected more than 200 signatures in the first 24 hours. The petition was started by local resident John Procter, who said:
“We believe this is a short-sighted measure and an inappropriate response to the circumstances that we find ourselves in during the pandemic, especially given the precarious state of the residential care sector generally.
“This establishment was originally built by Pudsey and over the many years allowed local residents respite when coming out of hospital before returning to their own homes.
“Many of you in the community have had relatives who have benefited from this facility serving people in West Leeds. We must fight to keep this place open and encourage you and friends to sign this. “
The petition has already generated local support. Jemma Waddington signed the petition and said:
“Its been there many years and used by patients all over Yorkshire. It will be very sad if this closes. I have many a memorable day there visiting from school for the harvest festival. The staff provide such care. Don’t let it close.”
The early blueprints for the 2021/22 budget also include a proposal to consult on the closure of Homelea House in Rothwell.
A report to be considered by senior executive board councillors next week argues the council could save more than £700,000 a year:
“Richmond House is continually under occupied and the current type of provision can easily be assimilated in wider system provision.
“A formal minimum consultation period would be required, however everyone who receives a service at Richmond House either returns to their own home, is supported to bid for rehousing or moves to longer term care.”
A statement from the council added:
“Any decisions to move ahead with closure would include a full public consultation and work to identify other care home accommodation suited to the individual needs of residents currently living at both care homes.”
The cuts follow news that the council was facing a £119m budget shortfall for 2021/22, thanks partly to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on council services and revenue collection.
WLD reported yesterday that the West Leeds Country Park Visitor Centre in Pudsey Park could be axed in its current form and replaced by a cafe – as Leeds City Council looks to cut more than 600 jobs across its services in next year’s budget.