Legal bid to stop privatisation of care homes

Claremont House in Heckmondwike is one of two homes set to transfer to the private sector

Campaigners have started legal action to stop two council-run dementia care homes being transferred to the private sector.

Kirklees Council confirmed earlier this year that Claremont House in Heckmondwike and Castle Grange in Newsome would be switched to private providers despite opposition from families and councillors.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell, which is representing the families of care home residents, has applied to the High Court for a judicial review to be held examining the legality of the council's proposal.

Kirklees Council said the transfer had been "through a long process of evaluation, engagement and public scrutiny" and it could not comment further until after legal proceedings.

Campaigners have argued that while the decision was stated to have been made on a financial basis, there remained a lack of evidence to support this.

Rebecca Chapman, the specialist public law and human rights lawyer representing the campaigners, said: "Local authority-run care homes provide vital care and support to a number of people, particularly those living with dementia.

"Many of those affected by the planned business transfer of Claremont House and Castle Grange have voiced their anger and disappointment at how they feel the council has acted throughout the process.

"We've heard first-hand accounts from families who say the decision will have a significant impact on their loved ones."

'Upset and distressed'

Ms Chapman said lawyers had previously written to the authority outlining their points but it had still decided to go ahead with privatisation.

She added: "We've therefore now applied for a judicial review."

Adrian Pygott said he was worried the disruption caused by privatisation would have "grave consequences" for his mother, 90-year-old Brenda Hughes, who has been cared for at Castle Grange for seven years.

He said: "My mother has high emotional needs and can become upset and distressed at the slightest change in her routine. She also has a range of complex physical needs.

"The care provided by the staff at Castle Grange is exemplary and I'm greatly concerned at the thought of this being taken away from her or, even worse, her having to move homes."

The latest development comes after campaigners previously fought off a plan in 2024 to close the homes as part of efforts to make almost £47m in budget savings.

After that, councillors made the decision to transfer them to private providers but this was called in for review by eight opposition councillors.

However, at a meeting in February, the council re-affirmed the decision to transfer.

In response to the legal action, the council said throughout the process it had "prioritised the quality of care for residents".

It added: "The decision is now subject to legal proceedings and it would be inappropriate to comment further, or explore alternative options, until we know the outcome of that process."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.