Lib Dems back new Care Homes for Merthyr

4.28.53pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 12th Sep 2009

Merthyr Tydfil Liberal Democrats are backing plans to build two brand new care homes in Merthyr Tydfil. At last week's council meeting, the Lib Dems supported the independent administration's plan to invest in modern facilities for the elderly.

The plan will finally end the current situation, where the council can only use a tiny proportion of rooms in their outdated homes. Most of the rooms fall beneath the minimum standards, and have simply been left unused - rather than improved.

Lib Dem spokesperson for Merthyr Tydfil, Amy Kitcher said, "Merthyr's care homes do not meet modern standards. Staff work hard looking after elderly residents, but cannot do so properly without new facilities. Building two new homes will enable staff to provide the best service for our most vulnerable elderly residents."

When Labour ran the council, they refused to tackle this problem, and even in opposition, they continue to fight service improvements.

Lib Dem group leader Kevin O'Connor added, "Under Labour, problems were ignored and the cost of delivering services shot up. The current arrangement does not provide the best facilities for residents and wastes hundreds of thousand pounds every year. By reorganising and reinvesting, the council can provide better services at lower cost - this is clearly the best for everyone.

"It is disappointing that even since Labour have lost control of the council, they still resist the changes Merthyr desperately needs. They continue to claim that all care homes should be kept open, yet they were unable to do this when they ran the council. Once again, Labour are trying to mislead the public with false hopes."