Last week I helped to arrange for the Conservative Cabinet’s proposals for closing the last of Coventry Council’s care homes to be closed and the residents in them moved out into new homes.

Originally, I supported the idea of New Homes for Old, and even though it meant land I would have wanted used for a Health Centre by Stoke Heath School was lost, I accepted the location of the new care homes on Heath Crescent.

However, I am concerned for some of the residents who are to be moved from their existing homes.  Some have severe dementia and need routine and consistency.  I have even been told of cases where the stresses of moving can, in some cases, cause these vulnerable people to die.

I do not know what all the risks are, but if there are such big risks then I think the Council should do everything it can to mitigate them. 

The Cabinet did not listen when these issues were raised at their meeting and pressed on with the idea.  That is why I now want the Council’s Scrutiny Co-ordination committee to look at the issue.  It has the power to ask the Cabinet to think again.

It may not do so, if the Conservative members on the committee side with their party leadership.  I am not even clear on Labour’s position on this case, but I do know I do not feel enough has been done to try to protect our most vulnerable citizens and I am determined to try to get the Council to think again. 

The crutial meeting is this Wednesday, 13th August, at 1pm.