THE future of a residential home, that local councillors are fighting to keep open, will be discussed during a formal consultation period that gets underway this week.
The future of the Bryn Llewelyn Home, in Llan Ffestiniog, has been hanging in the balance after new fire regulations meant its capacity was limited to 13 residents.
The change means the cost of running the home is significantly higher than the Gwynedd average.
Because of these factors, Gwynedd Council is launching a formal consultation on the former Victorian mansion’s future and residents and families have until October 31 to submit their comments.
The three possible options that have been identified are closing the home, investing in the building so it meets the minimum national safety standards or consider any other option that is presented during the consultation period.
Cllr Linda Wyn Jones said: “Local councillors had a meeting with Gwynedd Council last week and they have promised to look into every option possible to keep the home open.
“I personally feel that duel registration, when a care home can also be a nursing home, would make Bryn Llywelyn more financially viable.
“There are no nursing care homes in the Ffestiniog area at the moment .
“We will also be meeting with Bryn Llewelyn staff very soon to discuss their ideas and to hopefully come up with a business plan to keep the home open.”
Gwynedd Council’s head of provider services, Morwena Edwards, said they must make the best possible use of resources available to provide the “best and most appropriate level of care”.
“Our commitment includes delivering a significant investment in the care provision in the Ffestiniog area to ensure that the facilities we provide there meet the needs of the area’s older people.
“If Bryn Llewelyn is to remain open, the cost of running the home would remain significantly higher than the Gwynedd average.”
Gwynedd Council has already secured a £7m grant to develop 40 extra care housing units for older people in the Ffestiniog area.
Funding for an extension to the Bryn Blodau Care Home in Llan Ffestiniog, which provides care for people suffering with dementia, has also been approved with building work expected to be completed by December 2009.
Residents, families and all other stakeholders who want to present views or comments should log on to www.gwynedd.gov.uk or request a consultation pack by calling (01286) 679479 or e-mailing [email protected]
