Kirklees Council in West Yorkshire has begun a consultation on the closure of its Castle Grange and Claremont House care homes as a result of ‘financial challenges’.

The council has warned it could be forced to could be forced to follow Birminghan City Council in becoming effectively bankrupt if it does not find savings.

A Kirklees Council spokesperson said: “Proposals to review dementia residential care in Kirklees were put to cabinet on 26 September and we will now be consulting with residents, their families, staff and other stakeholders over the coming months.  The outcome of the consultation will be put to cabinet in the new year for a final decision. 

“We are facing some tough financial challenges but despite this our priority is and will remain, the health and wellbeing of residents living with dementia, and we will work with all parties to make sure our care home residents receive the care they need.  The council is committed to supporting people living with dementia where there are not many alternative providers of care and has recently invested £8m in a new dementia day service.”

The council has said it needs to find £47.8 million in savings before it sets its budget next year.

It has already introduced tough new action to reduce its spending, including strict controls on all expenditure, freezing recruitment further and re-assessing future investment plans.

Speaking in August, cabinet member for finance and regeneration, Cllr Graham Turner, said: “There are tough decisions to come. But we will continue to be open with residents and keep putting pressure on government to give Kirklees residents the fair deal on funding they deserve.”