Place Court battle complicated by private sector promises
Wednesday, 11th January 2012.
Councillors keen to keep Place Court care home in Haverhill out of the private sector have expressed an interest in the town council running it.
But yesterday they heard from Suffolk County Council that all three private companies interested in taking over the home are committed to building new premises for it.
Haverhill Town Council has run a petition to keep the home in Suffolk County Council's control, because they fear its very high standards of care would be compromised if it was put into the private sector.
The petition has over 4,000 signatures so far, but Suffolk County Council declined to send a representative to last night's town council meeting, to discuss the situation.
Under new legislation not yet enacted, the town council could run the home, but it has to express an interest at this early stage, and members agreed to do that.
However, a statement from Cllr Colin Noble, Suffolk County Council's portfolio holder for adult and care services was read out at the meeting, saying all three bidders want to redevelop on a new site.
Cllr Noble said care homes needed to change. "I think this is the best opportunity for Haverhill," he said. People would welcome it when the council was able to explain who the providers were, he said.
Town mayor Cllr Maureen Byrne said: "We're not going to give up on this. Place Court needs to be protected.If it needs new build, there is no reason why Suffolk County Council should not invest in that."
She said she would be leading a deputation to Ipswich to discuss the issue, as the county council would not send anyone to Haverhill.
Cllr Les Ager suggested they invite the new chief executive of Suffolk County Council, Deborah Cadman, to come to Haverhill and talk to them about it, and members agreed to do so, although with little hope of success.
But yesterday they heard from Suffolk County Council that all three private companies interested in taking over the home are committed to building new premises for it.
Haverhill Town Council has run a petition to keep the home in Suffolk County Council's control, because they fear its very high standards of care would be compromised if it was put into the private sector.
The petition has over 4,000 signatures so far, but Suffolk County Council declined to send a representative to last night's town council meeting, to discuss the situation.
Under new legislation not yet enacted, the town council could run the home, but it has to express an interest at this early stage, and members agreed to do that.
However, a statement from Cllr Colin Noble, Suffolk County Council's portfolio holder for adult and care services was read out at the meeting, saying all three bidders want to redevelop on a new site.
Cllr Noble said care homes needed to change. "I think this is the best opportunity for Haverhill," he said. People would welcome it when the council was able to explain who the providers were, he said.
Town mayor Cllr Maureen Byrne said: "We're not going to give up on this. Place Court needs to be protected.If it needs new build, there is no reason why Suffolk County Council should not invest in that."
She said she would be leading a deputation to Ipswich to discuss the issue, as the county council would not send anyone to Haverhill.
Cllr Les Ager suggested they invite the new chief executive of Suffolk County Council, Deborah Cadman, to come to Haverhill and talk to them about it, and members agreed to do so, although with little hope of success.
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