The largest care provider in Cornwall is set to be sold to one of the UK’s largest housing associations as it seeks to prevent the closure of its residential care homes.
Registered charity Cornwall Care – the largest provider of care in Cornwall – is set to be acquired by Sanctuary Housing in a deal that is yet to be finalised.
Full details of the takeover have yet to be revealed as they are due to be discussed by Cornwall Council’s cabinet on Monday.
While Cornwall Care is an independent charity, the council owns the freehold of 15 of the care homes run by the organisation, as well as responsibilities linked to the pension fund for staff who transferred to Cornwall Care from the council in 1995.
As reported by The Packet, the cabinet will be asked on Monday to sell 14 of the sites currently being leased from the council to Sanctuary Housing.
The council says that, in drawing up terms of the acquisition, it has negotiated “significant improvements” to the current arrangements.
A report to the cabinet reads: “Cornwall Care recently took the decision ‘to mothball’ three care homes as part of their recovery plan…This resulted in a reduction of 111 beds but enabled Cornwall Care to consolidate staffing capacity across 13 homes.
“This came at a time when both Adult Social Care and the NHS had declared a local Critical Incident.
“Cornwall Care view this acquisition as a critical way of preventing the need for further closures.”
Commenting on the plans, the council said: “This acquisition will help secure Cornwall’s care market and provide security for residents living in the homes.
“In return for the transfer of the sites, Sanctuary will lead a programme which will see the development of new and refurbished care homes over a 10-year period.”
The homes affected are:
- Redannick, Truro
- Trewartha, Carbis Bay
- The Green, Redruth
- Woodland, St Austell
- Trevern, Falmouth
- St Breock, Wadebridge
- Headlands, Carbis Bay
- St Martin’s, Camborne
- Blackwood House, Camborne
- Mountford House, Truro
- Penberthy House, Newquay
- Chyvarhas, Callington
- Trevarna, St Austell
- Pengover House, Liskeard
Sanctuary Housing is one of the largest not-for-profit housing associations across England and Scotland and the second largest not-for-profit care provider.
Cornwall Care currently manages 16 homes across Cornwall, serving more than 1,000 people.
The cabinet will hold its meeting on Monday (June 27), when it will make a final decision.
Image credit: Cherries/Shutterstock
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