Hundreds take part in protest march over New Mills care home closure plans

Thirty-bed Goyt Valley House is one of seven Derbyshire facilities set to be shut as Derbyshire County Council says its badly rundown building is ‘no longer fit for purpose’.

In a letter to residents and families last month the council wrote how the ageing building would need rewiring and some homes were no longer fit for purpose.

Over 300 relatives and supportive members of the public congregated outside New Mills Town Hall to hear speeches after marching with banners accompanied by a drummer and a trumpeter.

Speaking outside the town hall Ruth George, county councillor for Whaley Bridge and former High Peak MP, said: “We’ve got the families, we’ve got the residents, we’ve got the staff who do such a fantastic job caring for our loved ones.

“The only ones who aren’t on side are Derbyshire Conservatives – people around here don’t want their care homes to close.

“Unless we fight we will see our care homes decimated for no good reason.”

Conservative High Peak MP Robert Largan told the crowd: “When I stood for election I told you all I was an independent-minded moderate – that I’m prepared to criticise my own party when I think they’ve got things wrong.

“I’m very happy to criticise Derbyshire County Council and say that I think they’ve got things wrong.

“I don’t think that the current proposals are right.”

Mr Largan told how he had already spoken up in favour of Goyt Valley House in Parliament and invited Care Minister Helen Whately MP to visit the home.

Kath Mulligan, 71, - whose 103-year-old mother Nora Davis had a mini-stroke when she found out about the planned closure - described the protest as ‘phenomenal’ and said ‘everyone was buzzing’.

She said: “We’re feeling as hopeful as we can - we’re making a lot of noise.

“We feel if we fight hard enough and make enough noise the council are going to have to think again because it would be such an unpopular decision if they were to close.”

Derbyshire County Council is running a public consultation over the closure until April 24 - saying no decision has yet been made.

However Kath said there was a feeling among staff and relatives at the home that the consultation period was just a ‘box-ticking exercise’.

She added: “It feels like we’re banging our heads against a brick wall.”

The council say Goyt Valley House needs rewiring, new boilers, fire doors, fire alarms and replacement utilities at a cost of nearly £900,000.

However Kath pointed out how in January 2019 the council had announced a decision to spend £1.7 million refurbishing County Hall’s Winter Gardens.

Last month Ruth George called on the council’s adult care chief Councillor Jean Wharmby to meet with relatives over the plans.

However Kath said Ms Wharmby - also member for nearby Glossop and Charlesworth - had so far refused to do so in the interests of impartiality towards other homes set for closure in the county.

Kath said: “We’re not going to go down without one heck of a fight.”

A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: “It is regrettable that the council finds itself in this position but we have a duty to provide older people with the care and support they need in safe surroundings fit for the 21st century.

“It is clear from the condition reports that we have made available on our website that the work needed on these homes is significant and we must consider whether or not these buildings have reached the end of their useful lifespan.

“Even if the repairs were carried out we consider seven of these buildings are no longer fit for purpose and do not allow older people to live with dignity – with rooms that are too small for essential equipment and shared toilets.

“We want to hear from those affected whether or not they agree with this.

“Our Older People’s Housing, Accommodation and Support Strategy also projects there will be less need for traditional residential care beds in the future.

“This and the extent and nature of the work needed means the council has to consider whether significant expenditure on these buildings would be a good use of local taxpayers’ money.”

Derbyshire County Council’s consultation is open until April 24.

For more information click HERE.