The Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council has responded to claims that four nursing homes in the county face closure over a cash row with the Authority.
Councillor John Davies said that the situation with the homes was not
caused by the level of fees paid by Pembrokeshire and also revealed that at least six local authorities in Wales pay lower fees than those of his Council while seven pay at a similar level.
“Some people have incorrectly assumed there is a recommended rate for fees” he explained. “The national organisation, Care Forum Wales, has a view on fee levels but this is not one which is widely adopted.
“The responsibility of Councils is to set fees. It is not a negotiating process.
“We are firmly of the view that we have done this fairly and we have used a nationally recognised financial model to assist us.
“We are confident that the Council’s position will be upheld by the court when the full facts are explained in the hearing in Cardiff on Tuesday.”
He warned that if the Council agreed to pay £500 per week to all homes in Pembrokeshire it would increase the Authority’s costs for residential and nursing home care by £2.25million.
“At a time when public services are facing major cuts, we cannot anticipate the Welsh Assembly Government increasing Pembrokeshire County Council’s funding to meet these increased fees” he added.
He said the Council’s primary concern was for the residents who are elderly, frail and vulnerable.
“I can assure you that we are actively exploring options should these homes close and I recognise and fully appreciate the worry and concern this is causing.”
