BRADFORD Council is recommending the controversial closure of a care home despite fierce opposition from families whose loved ones live there.

In a report to the Executive Committee on Tuesday, the Health and Wellbeing department will recommend the 35-bed Holme View council-run care home in Holme Wood shuts, blaming it on the building being unfit for purpose.

Families had formed an action group in a bid to stop any closure from going ahead and have met with council chiefs in the hope of swaying any such decision.

Officers say the home, in Gillingham Green, built in 1972, does not fit the future needs of its residents and would need extensive repair and maintenance works.

Sue O'Shea who is a member of the Holme View Action group said this: "We are saddened, disappointed and extremely worried about the recommended closure of Holme View Care Home, which has been home to our loved ones for between one and eight years.

"It is quite apparent that the Council are putting money over the health, wellbeing and safety of the twenty two very vulnerable people who  are living with dementia who are unable to voice how they feel about the losing their home.

"Some of the residents would not have chosen Holme View had they have been informed in advance about the possible closure within twelve months of them moving in. Bradford Council have offered to pay private care home top up fees for  two years which is unacceptable as this may mean residents may have to move again should their families be unable to pay these additional payments.

"We hope that Bradford Council will take on board our valid worries and concerns. We ask Bradford Council to carefully consider the impact of closure of this much needed specialist Dementia Care Home which is run by an experienced, loyal and caring team of staff."

The council officers' report says an investment of £363,000 would be needed for priority repair work at the home, such as electrical and mechanical services.

It will also tell Executive members that the size of the care home’s bedrooms - at 9.3 square metres - falls short of the Care Quality Commission recommended size of 12.5 square metres.

“To expand the size of rooms would reduce the number of beds from 35 to 20 and require residents to move out while the work was carried out. The narrow corridors have also meant places cannot be offered to people with limited mobility or who need to be moved or lifted, as the space does not allow for this,” says the report. And it adds: “Long term investment to future proof the home would be in the region of £1 million.”

Consultations on proposals to close the home took place from January to April this year.

If it is agreed that the home closes, special measures would be put in place to mitigate the risks of moving vulnerable older people, said a council spokesman.

Those measures would include individual support plans, transfer of clinical care and follow-up assessments within six weeks of them being moved.

Councillor Val Slater, Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “We do understand that feelings have run high about the future of Holme View, but the building will soon not be fit for purpose. If it is decided that the home will close, we will take every step to ensure that appropriate alternative care is found for every service user and any move would be done with the least possible disruption.

“In line with the Care Act, we have a duty to provide a diverse range of care services for our older people and be in a position to offer them a choice of care to fit their individual needs.”