Final decision made on care home closure

Plans to close New Tyne care home in Worthing were called in by councillors after new information emerged

The implementation of plans to close a care home for people with dementia will begin on Monday after a final decision was made.

Last month, West Sussex County Council (WSCC) confirmed mooted plans to shut the New Tyne care home in Worthing, which is home to 12 residents.

The decision was called in because certain information, including feedback gathered the consultation period, was not available when it was first reviewed.

WSCC's health and adult social care scrutiny committee has upheld the original decision, meaning alternative plans will now be made for residents, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Amanda Jupp, the cabinet member for adult services, who made the original decision, said it ultimately came down to finances.

"It will be difficult, I realise that – it is a very emotional decision. But I have to tell you, there's no money available in our capital budget," she said.

"We do not have any money to do anything to New Tyne."

Jupp told the meeting that adult services were currently running at an overspend of £12m, a gap that needed to be closed by the end of the financial year if the council wants to present a balanced budget.

'Inflict unnecessary harm'

Meanwhile, WSCC said £1.46m would be needed for the maintenance of the building over the next 10 years.

The decision was called in by Labour leader Chris Oxlade, who said closing New Tyne would "inflict unnecessary harm on these vulnerable people, disrupt dedicated staff and ignore the overwhelming opposition from families and the local community".

A petition submitted to the council by Unison, which represents the home's 35 staff, was signed by about 2,500 people.

According to a report to the committee, a dementia bed in the Worthing area costs about £945 per week in 2025/26. At New Tyne, it costs £1,532.

The closure is expected to deliver savings of £460,000 per year, the report said.

Jupp reiterated her promise that residents would remain the council's priority.

"They won't just be dropped in a home and left – that would be the last thing we'd do," she added.

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