MP ‘Shocked’ Over Nant Silyn Scrutiny Meeting

Wrexham’s MP Ian Lucas has said he is ‘very upset’ by Wrexham Council’s decision not to reconsider closing its last care home and was critical of ‘closing down debate’ .

As we reported earlier the attempt to ‘call in’ and review the decision to close Nant Silyn ended during a meeting that was described by one Councillor as ‘shambolic’.

In a statement today Mr Lucas said: “A cross-party group of councillors, including the council’s Labour group, asked for the controversial decision to close Nant Silyn in Caia Park to be reconsidered. The council’s ruling Tory/ Independent alliance voted to close the home last month and yesterday’s bid was to get the council to “call in”, or reconsider, its decision.”

Mr Lucas went on: “I am very upset, to hear that the council had chosen not to review its plan to close Nant Silyn. I would like to thank all those councillors – of whatever political group – who backed the bid to get these plans reconsidered. I know from relatives of residents how strongly they feel that this is the wrong decision.

“However, it was clear long before the council finally voted on these plans that far too many councillors had closed minds on the issue and that this closure was going ahead.

“I was shocked to hear that questions about these proposals were not allowed at what was, supposedly, a scrutiny meeting. Whenever there has been an opportunity to close down debate around what the council wants to do to our last care home, the ruling Tory/ Independent group has taken it”

“As the one councillor permitted to speak said yesterday, the council is putting all its eggs in one basket when it comes to providing residential care. This is a very dangerous approach at a time when the private care home sector is contracting with homes closing.”

Lesley Griffiths who is Wrexham’s current AM and is standing for re-election next year added: “The Tory/Independent-run Wrexham Council had the opportunity to review its decision to close Nant Silyn and I am extremely disappointed that the chance has been rejected.

“Many members of the public, as well as local elected representatives, were keen for every possible option to be explored, but now the care home will unfortunately be lost forever.

“Resilience within the public sector is paramount and I believe this short-sighted decision could create problems in the future.”