Care home wins Cabinet backing
Date published: 07 June 2011
UNANIMOUS approval was given at last night’s Cabinet meeting to reopen Limecroft Care Home within the next six months.
Councillors agreed their preferred option to reopen the 20-bed residential care unit with the help of an “arms-length management trust” from a neighbouring local authority.
The meeting took place at the home in Whitebank Road, Limeside, and was the first Cabinet meeting held away from the civic centre to encourage community engagement.
The Chronicle revealed yesterday how a report into the options surrounding the home, which closed on March 31 due to council cuts, said it would cost £2million to refurbish with en-suite facilities and extend it to 40 beds.
The report recommended negotiating with Greater Manchester Local Authority “arms-length” providers to provide the service at Limecroft for the next two years while plans for the development are drawn up and funding found.
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Philip Harrison said the council was looking at costs of £624,000 to reopen Limecroft within the next six months before winter set in. Paul Cassidy, director of Adult Social Services, said the council would be drawing up a plan to redevelop the site for 40 beds with ensuite facilities during the same period.
He said 24/7 security to keep the unused building safe was currently costing the council £1,700 a week but they would be looking at cheaper providers. When asked about the cost of keeping the premises shut, Mr Cassidy said lack of respite care in the community meant people would be forced into residential care much quicker, so the human toll was much greater than the actual cost.
Councillor Harrison said the aim was to make sure Limecroft continued as a centre of excellence.
He said: “I’m sure local people in this room and families of people with dementia will be very pleased we have been able to submit this.”
Council leader Jim McMahon formally moved the preferred option to reopen Limecroft with an arms length trust. Cabinet members unanimously voted in favour.
