Bath & North East Somerset Council has submitted proposals to reshape care for people at three community resource centres in the face of a potential £1 million overspend.

The proposals include making Cleeve Court Residential Home in Bath a centre for excellence for dementia care, including nursing care.

They would also enable younger people with complex needs to live closer to home with an enhanced offer provided at Combe Lea care home in Midsomer Norton.

Places at Charlton House Nursing Home which currently only has 11 out of 30 beds occupied could be transferred to Cleeve Court or other services.

Charlton House could instead offer alternative care or housing options, including step-down care wards during the winter.

Fifteen nursing beds were temporarily withdrawn at Charlton House in October 2022 after concerns were raised at the service.

The proposals also include the opportunity for community groups and charitable organisations’ use of day centre spaces at the centres at a reduced rental rate if the organisations offer services that are accessible to the care home residents and the community.

Councillor Alison Born, cabinet member for adult services, said: “The proposals which I am being asked to approve to go out for consultation follow a review of the three homes where we provide registered care for up to 105 people.

“I am acutely aware that these are people’s homes and so residents, their families and staff must have their say on any plans we make. Running alongside any decision is also the fact that providing care is very costly and like every council there are huge pressures on our budgets. I shall give careful consideration to the report and the next steps for our community resource centres in the best interest of the people we care for now and into the future.”

The council said rising costs, including rising agency pressures, could result in a £1 million overspend in the next financial year.