NINE council employees will be made redundant following a decision made by Pembrokeshire County Council today (Apr 25) to shut a local authority run care home in Haverfordwest.

At a meeting of the Cabinet this morning, members unanimously agreed that Perrots Lodge, which only opened in 2007, is too costly to run. The council heard that the facility houses up to eight persons and is focused  on dementia care. Perrots Lodge, say the Council, is not a home for life and does not offer long term placements.

Cllr Simon Hancock told Cabinet: “Our other homes, Havenhurst in Milford Haven and Hillside Home in Goodwick; and where appropriate independent sector; will be able to take in the persons currently at Perrots lodge.”

He added “The nine people who are being made redundant will be given  help to find alternative employment where possible.”

The cost of running Perrots lodge is £340,000 per year, with the cost of the lease of the building being £60,000.

On March 24, The Older Person Health and Well-Being Overview and Scrutiny Committee gave their support to the closure of the centre.

The money saved will go towards the £4 million on savings the Council needs to make in Adult Social Care.

In May, The Herald was contacted by a member of staff at Perrots Lodge, on Avallenau Drive, Merlin’s Bridge, to say that workers had been told in an emergency meeting that the centre was shutting, and staff were being transferred to Havenhurst in Milford Haven.

The staff member, who did not want to be identified at the time, said: “We were told that there was no redundancy if we left, we just have to accept that we are moving to the home in Milford Haven. We were told to lie to anyone making enquiries and say that beds at Perrots Lodge were double-booked and that clients would be cared for in Havenhurst.”

The source added: “We at the centre have got the impression that the place was being run down over the last few months, and our fears have been proved right.”

The centre had a good report from the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales in 2014, which noted in a report that the service is welcoming and relaxed, and that people are appreciative of the peaceful environment.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council told The Herald at the time: “Due to problems with staffing, the home is to close temporarily from Wednesday, May 20.”The spokesman added: “From that date all bookings are being diverted to Havenhurst in Milford Haven or other appropriate settings. Staff will also be relocated to Havenhurst to support the clients.”

They also said back then: “There will be no staff redundancies as a result of this temporary closure.”