Bodlondeb Residential Home to Remain Open

A Ceredigion County Council budget workshop today decided to shelve plans to re-locate residents from Penparcau's Bodlondeb Residential Home to Waunfawr's Hafan Y Waun.

It follows a heated public debate on the issue and a recent Cabinet decision that was split on the matter as I blogged about at the time.

Today's all-party workshop looked at the current and future budgets to seek common ground on where savings can be made.

On arriving at the Council's Penmorfa HQ in Aberaeron this morning, we walked past a number of campaigners and their 'Save Bodlondeb' banners at the entrance. I spoke to them and told them that they had my complete support. Meanwhile, in the Chamber, it was clear that the decision to close Bodlondeb was deemed to be a step to far and it was proposed by Deputy Leader Cllr Ray Quant and agreed to use £75,000 out of the Council's reserves to fill the gap left by this decision to keep Bodlondeb open as it is.

This is to be greatly welcomed. Whilst difficult decisions have to be made to balance the books, the needs of the most vulnerbale sections of our society must not be overlooked. For their dignity and well-being it is therefore a relief to know that they will not be forced to move from their home to another at their time of life.

This is a victory for common sense in Ceredigion.