£130,000 bill to refurbish care homes ‘an insult to taxpayers’

Oct 1 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Wallasey News

Poulton House

MORE than £130,000 of tax payers’ money had to be spent on care homes that may face closure, according to Wirral Council.

Over the summer £32,000 was spent on Feltree House, Beechwood, Birkenhead, which is earmarked for closure, and a further £100,000 was split between Poulton House, Wallasey, which may close, and Pensall House, Pensby.

This money was given to the council from the government in the form of a Dignity in Care grant and can only be used to improve the standards of living for elderly people.

Residents and staff at both Feltree and Poulton House have expressed concern about the amount of money spent, with some saying it is unnecessary.

Feltree House has been earmarked for closure in 2010, but this month a cabinet meeting may bring the closure date forward because of a major transformation happening within adult social services.

John Webb, head of adult social services, said: “The decisions about where we would spend this money were made before we knew that the closure date for Feltree House may be brought forward.

“At this time there has been no decision made regarding the closure of Poulton House.

“But whether they are closing or not, they still need to be maintained as they are still inspected and need to be at acceptable standards.”

Kevin McKenna, of Wallasey, who has been taking his 98-year-old mother Kitty to Feltree House for two years, said: “I can’t get my head around the fact that £32,000 of tax payers’ money has been spent on a home that may not even have a year’s life left - it beggars belief.

“I can understand spending a couple of thousand pounds on maintenance until it closes, but I find the amount spent an insult to taxpayers.”