Roger Williams MP leads delegation to Royal British Legion to discuss future of Crosfield House

2.24.28pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 20th Oct 2009

Photo shows (from L-R) C.Cllr Rosemarie Harris (Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Services at Powys County Council), Cllr Clare Evans (Rhayader Town Council), Phil Robson (Director of Social Services at Powys County Council), C.Cllr Kelvyn Curry (County Councillor for Rhayader) and Roger Williams MP outside the Royal British Legion HQ in Borough High Street, London.

Roger Williams, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, led a delegation to the Royal British Legion on Monday to discuss the future of the only Royal British Legion care home in Wales, Crosfield House.

The delegation from Powys met with Chris Simpkins, Director General of the Royal British Legion, Sue Freeth, Director of Welfare at the Royal British Legion, and Sharron Lewis-James, Director of Human Resources at the Royal British Legion, and raised the issues of future care provision for residents, job security for staff and the conditions of any possible sale of the home.

Commenting after the meeting, Mr Williams said:

"It was good to be able to achieve this meeting with the Director General and his staff.

"While there is unhappiness locally about the decision of the Royal British Legion to dispose of their involvement in Crosfield House we were able to get some assurances on the way in which the sale was going to go ahead."

County Councillor Kelvyn Curry said:

"We are very pleased to get an assurance from the Royal British Legion that in drawing up their particulars of sale they are allowing for an orderly change of ownership and doing all they can to ensure that it is sold as a going concern.

"I was also pleased that the Royal British Legion would not rule out other models of ownership such as social enterprise."

Councillor Clare Evans said:

"I was keen to emphasise the responsibility of the British Legion to their employees and to their residents.

"Occupancy has now exceeded 90%. It is important that if the home is to be sold as a going concern then staffing and the number of residents must be maintained."

County Councillor Rosemarie Harris said:

"The business must be structured in such a way as to be profitable in the future. It is hoped that this would not mean the loss of trained and dedicated staff that is essential to ensure that the residents enjoyed a pleasant and fulfilling time in the home."

Phil Robson, Director of Social Services at Powys County Council, said:

"Powys County Council, which is a main commissioner of services in Crosfield House, will work with potential purchasers to try to ensure a successful outcome for Crosfield House and the people of Rhayader."