A public consultation will be launched about the future of two Cumbrian care homes.
Westmorland & Furness Council is reviewing the futures of Applethwaite Green Care Home in Windermere and Grisedale Croft in Alston.
Its cabinet met yesterday to discuss the homes.
A report to councillors said Applethwaite Green Care Home’s building was functionally obsolete and financially unsustainable.
It said the home had been operating at a reduced capacity of residents due to longstanding recruitment challenges, high agency reliance and an inability to meet modern regulatory standards.
The report said: “Bedrooms are below the required minimum size and no scope to provide en suite or dementia friendly facilities without significant investment.
“The home has some of the highest costs across all care services homes – including one of the highest costs per resident, the highest agency cost per occupied bed, and the second highest forecast cost per available bed – making it financially unsustainable.”
Last week, the report was available publicly for anyone to read. However, it has now been moved into a restricted part of the cabinet’s agenda.
Restricted – or Part II – agenda items often relate to information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person, including the authority holding that information. it means the public or press are not allowed to hear the debate.
The authority released a statement last night to say the cabinet had agreed to begin the formal public consultation process.
It said: “The decision allows the council to consult residents, families, staff, and the wider community on options for the future of Applethwaite Green Care Home in Windermere and Grisedale Croft Care Home in Alston, in line with its legal duties and in order to make informed future decisions.
“Cabinet considered detailed reports outlining significant challenges facing both homes, including buildings that no longer meet modern care and regulatory standards, declining occupancy, workforce pressures, and high operating costs.
“It also considered the council’s vision for adult social care where ‘people live in a place they call home, with the people and things they love, in communities where they look out for one another, doing the things that matter to them.’
“This vision drives a shift toward home-based support rather than residential care, independence rather than dependency, and strong community connection rather than isolation.”
Applethwaite Green is a 27-bed residential home with 15 permanent residents.
Cabinet agreed to consult on all options – do nothing, refurbishment, rebuild or closure – due to the above challenges and sufficient alternative provision locally.
The report said that 12 alternative residential homes rated as good by the Care Quality Commission operated within 16 miles of the home.
Grisedale Croft has 13 bedrooms. The council said there had been declining and limited occupancy over the last six years with currently three permanent residents.
The building is now over 50 years old and has exceeded its original operational life.
In Alston and the surrounding area there is little alternative provision available.
The cabinet has agreed to start a formal consultation on all options on the home’s future with a preferred option to provide alternative accommodation in a suitable building in the local area if one could be acquired.
The consultation processes will run for 12 weeks.
The council added: “No decisions have been taken about the final outcome for either home.
“The purpose of the consultation is to gather views, understand impacts, and ensure that any future decision is informed by the experiences and priorities of those most affected.
Cllr Patricia Bell, cabinet member for adult care, said: “We know how people feel about these homes, and we understand that even the start of a consultation on options for the future may be worrying for residents, families, and staff. These are people’s homes and places of work, not just buildings, and we are approaching this with care, openness and respect.
“Today’s cabinet decisions are not about making a final choice – it is about listening. We want to hear directly from residents, loved ones, staff and local communities so that any decision we make is informed and focussed on people’s wellbeing, dignity and safety.”
The authority added that during the consultation period, residents and families would receive individual support, and staff would be kept fully informed, with trade unions engaged as part of the process.
The director of adult care will make final decisions later this year.
