UNION bosses are calling for a promised independent report about a closed residential care home to be completed as promised.

Awel Deg Residential Home in Llandysul shut abruptly in February 2014 with the loss of 40 jobs, and an independent report for an investigation was commissioned. But UNISON Cymru Wales claims that Ceredigion County Council has been ‘failing to cooperate’ preventing the report from being finished.

The home closed suddenly last year under controversial circumstances and residents were moved at short notice.

UNISON called for an independent report to be commissioned to investigate the reasons behind the closure.

The union was concerned that there may have been historical collective failures on behalf of the council towards the running of the home and also questioned if the council’s motives behind making all the staff redundant was to make it easier to sell the home off to the private sector.

The council agreed to the independent report and in May 2014 commissioned Tony Garthwaite to investigate in full the reasons behind the home closure and to question all those involved with the running of the home at every level of council management.

UNISON explained that an independent report was agreed to rather than the council carrying out their own would be more favourable with the public.

UNISON Regional Organiser Jeff Baker said: “At the time we were very pleased the council took the decision for the independent investigation and within the first few weeks of Mr Garthwaite conducting the investigation the union presented formal evidence and put forward members of staff at the home who also wished to give evidence to the investigation”.

Jeff Baker went on to say: “It is very disappointing because in contrast to this UNISON understands that Mr Garthwaite cannot complete his report because the council has not taken steps to provide answers to key matters that Mr Garthwaite has put forward.”

UNISON has written a number of times to the council complaining about the delay and the union has stated that despite promises by the council the delay continues on what the union believes is a very important matter of public interest.

UNISON Branch Chairperson Owain Davies said: “The union will be writing to all Ceredigion Councillors calling on them to demand the completion and publication of the independent report.

In response to this statement a Ceredigion County Council spokesperson said: ““We are aware of Unison’s comments regarding Awel Deg Care Home. The Council is working with Tony Garthwaite, Independent Investigator to ensure that he has access to all the relevant information that he requires in order that he can complete his investigation. Until the investigation is concluded it would not be appropriate for the Council to comment further.”