Care home closure consultation 'a paper exercise'

Mike Mitchelson is one of seven councillors who called in the decision for scrutiny

A decision to shut a care home is due to be scrutinised in light of claims the associated consultation was just a "paper exercise".

Last month Cumberland Council's Labour executive committee decided to close Moot Lodge, in Brampton, despite hundreds of objections.

A group of five Conservative councillors along with one Green and a one LibDem have now called in the decision to be discussed at a meeting on 14 August.

They question whether proper consideration was given to a public consultation in which almost 90% of residents were in favour of keeping the facility open.

Almost 300 people took part in the public consultation, with a petition reaching more than 670 signatures from people who said the home was an important part of the town, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In a letter published ahead of next week's meeting, the opposition councillors asked: "Was the consultation meaningful or just a paper exercise with minds already made up?"

'Visiting difficulties'

Moot Lodge has 18 registered beds and is currently home to seven people.

Factors considered by the executive when deciding to shut the home included reduced occupancy and its suitability to meet the diverse needs of residents, as well limitations relating to the building that the authority said could not be addressed through investment.

Those submitting the request to the council's scrutiny committee are Conservativers Mike Mitchelson (Brampton), Mike Johnson (Thursby), Andy Pratt (Millom Without), Geoff Mitchell (Wethera), John Mallinson (Houghton and Irthington) and the Green Party's Helen Davison (Belah) with LibDem Roger Dobson (Corby and Hayton).

In their letter to the council they said: "Removing council care home facilities from a key service centre with an increasing aging population will result in residents having to be located in either Carlisle or Longtown, resulting in visiting difficulties due to lack of direct public transport links."

They added the council should have considered "a properly costed refurbishment plan" as an alternative to closure.

Concerns were also raised about the future of the current building, which is in the centre of the town.

The scrutiny committee could decide to ask the executive to reconsider its decision or refer the decision to full council, among other options.