Cwm Aur Statement

Following the recent consultation on the Council’s budget, the Council has agreed to change the extra care service that is provided at Cwm Aur in Llanybydder. The Council has historically commissioned Pobl Group to deliver the extra care element of this service. Despite best efforts, occupancy levels at Cwm Aur for extra care residents has remained very low for a number of years. Thus, following a review of the service in consultation with Pobl, both parties have agreed that the care needs of residents can be provided in a more sustainable way.

Therefore, it has been agreed to change the model whereby care will no longer be provided by Pobl group as an organisation, but instead, a domiciliary service will be arranged either by the Council or external home care agency who provide care in the area.

The needs of all residents affected have been assessed by the Council’s social work teams, and the Council is in the process of putting alternative arrangements in place to deliver the care.

All tenancies are secure, so no resident will be required to move and care will still be delivered in line with their assessed needs. Pobl group is in the process of reviewing how they will deliver their responsibilities as a landlord, in terms of on-site support for non-care related support, and the Council has agreed to maintain their financial contribution to support this.

Staff who are employed by Pobl Group are affected by the proposal, and we are aware that Pobl Group has issued redundancy notices to these staff. We are however aware that some staff have secured other employment and the Council has provided Pobl Group with a list of job vacancies within the Council which the staff may wish to consider. As a large employer, Pobl Group also has redeployment opportunities available for their staff.

Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services, Cllr. Jane Tremlett said: “Carmarthenshire County Council appreciates that this is a difficult and unsettling time for residents and staff of Cwm Aur. As with any change, transition is always difficult, and the Council will work with residents, their families and Pobl group to effectively manage that change.

“Whilst the change does mean a different model of care for the residents, the Council is confident that there will be alternative providers in place to manage that care and no resident will be in a position of being left without care when the contract with Pobl group comes to an end.

“The Council will continue to work in partnership with Pobl group to bring the situation to a successful resolution.”