AFTER four months of campaigning, we did it.

There were tears of joy on Wednesday and applause broke out as members of Monmouthshire County Council’s cabinet voted unanimously to save Budden Crescent Respite Care Home – almost exactly four months after they voted to consult on its closure.

Parent-carers whose disabled adult children use the home for respite, exchanged tearful hugs outside the cabinet room as they thanked the care home’s staff and the Free Press for their help in saving the service.

In a statement read out by parent-carer Sandra Bower, they said: “We are absolutely delighted with the decision to keep Budden Crescent open, albeit with fewer beds.

“We wish to thank all the people who supported us and all those who signed our petition.

“Special thanks go to Dr Rackham of Gray Hill Surgery for his support, Caldicot and Chepstow town councils and also a special thank you to the Free Press for all their support and coverage throughout the last four months.

“A very special big thank you goes to the staff of Budden Crescent for their alternative proposal – without this we do not think the result would have been favourable. Last but no means least, thank you to the cabinet of Monmouthshire County Council for the decision they made.”

Sandra Bower, from Caldicot, cares for her 34-year-old son Lee, who suffers from partial cerebral palsy, epilepsy and learning difficulties, with her husband John. After the decision was made, she was in tears.

Work will now start on converting the five-bed home in to a two-bed home and hub for alternative, flexible respite options, such as short breaks and adult services. A review into respite services in Monmouthshire was brought forward after Torfaen County Borough Council announced it would no longer be using two of the five beds, leaving MCC with a £129,000 shortfall.

Two options were put forward: close the care home and move to using alternative respite options, or keep Budden Crescent open with some staffing changes.

But staff at Budden Crescent put forward a third option at the 11th hour. This was the option approved by cabinet members.

The option leaves a funding gap of £50,000 not available in the budget, but cabinet member for finance Phil Murphy said: “It will put financial pressure on other parts of the authority but we will make this work because it’s the right option for the users of Budden Crescent.”

BACKGROUND ON BUDDEN CRESCENT

Budden Crescent opened in 1992. It is the only respite care home for adults in Monmouthshire and provides care for 40 families.

The care home was shared between Monmouthshire, who had three beds and Torfaen who used two beds. Torfaen council gave notice of its intention to withdraw from Budden Crescent last spring and Monmouthshire council brought forward a review into respite services in the county in the wake of this decision.

The care home cost £395,057 to run, with Torfaen contributing £129,000 and £12,000 income generated from the home.

A report by Monmouthshire council officers estimated keeping Budden open with staffing changes would cost £301,409, while closing it and moving to alternatives would cost £199,300 – the council’s preferred choice.

The cost of moving to alternative respite options was later re-calculated as £257,500.

But a third option was put forward by staff of Budden Crescent during the consultation.

It involved changing the home to a two-bed service and a hub for alternative options.

Costs would be brought down to £252,000 plus £50,000 allocated to develop the alternative options.

JOY OF THE FAMILIES

Norman Lewis, from Wyesham, near Monmouth, cares for his 49-year-old daughter Beverley who has Down’s Syndrome, with his wife Wendy.

He said: “It was excellent news. We’re very relieved, as is my daughter, and I thank the Free Press for all their support.”

Beverley, who stays at Budden Crescent, added: “Thank you to everyone for the support and I hope it will be kept open in the future.

“I’m pleased the staff have been able to keep their jobs and keep it open. I’m looking forward to seeing my friends and making new friends. The social side of Budden Crescent is very important to me.”

Pam Ball, from Magor, said: “We feel great. We don’t know how it’s going to work now but it’s still open and that’s the main thing.

“We want to build on this now and maybe the parents can get more involved.

“We are really glad at the result.

“Thanks to the Free Press and its campaign – that made a big difference, and all the support we had. It’s a big relief, it’s great.”

Mrs Ball’s daughter Sharon, 39, has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and learning difficulties.

Roger Gleed, pictured, from Caldicot said: “I think it was the best decision but we need a formal group like ‘Friends of Budden’ to make sure things progress.

“It was a big relief. Janey is going into Budden this week for us to have a rest and we’re confident about her going there – and that really is what it’s about, having confidence she will be safe so we’re pleased that it’s been saved. We’re also grateful to the Free Press for what they have done.”

Mr Gleed and his wife June care for their daughter Janey, 47, who has cerebral palsy and learning difficulties.

TIMELINE TO SUCCESS

l Spring 2009: Torfaen council gave notice of its intention to withdraw from Budden Crescent by April 2009.

l February 3, 2010: Monmouthshire County Council’s cabinet took the decision to consult on closing Budden Crescent.

l February 24: We launched our campaign to save Budden Crescent.

l March: Council takes the decision to move the date of cabinet’s final decision on whether to close the home or not, from May 5, to after the election.

l March 4: The first petition to save Budden Crescent with 1,014 names is handed to Monmouthshire County Council.

l March 22: Parent-carers invited to an exhibition in Usk to learn more about possible respite alternatives to Budden Crescent.

l April 15: A second petition with another 1,013 names is handed to the council. This brought the total to 2,027.

l April 19: Caldicot Town Council hosts a meeting with county council officers and then-cabinet member for adult services Cllr Brian Hood.

l April 26: The consultation ends and we call on the council to think again.

l April 28: We publish an article stating staff at Budden Crescent have been banned from speaking to the press and Chepstow Town Council supports saving the home.

l May 11: Adults select committee holds its first pre-decision scrutiny meeting where councillors hear from parent-carers and the proposal to save the care home put forward by Budden Crescent staff is first discussed.

l May 21: Members of the adult select committee unanimously vote in favour of recommending to cabinet that Budden Crescent stays open and is transformed into a hub for other respite services.

l June 2: MCC’s cabinet members unanimously voted in favour of saving Budden Crescent and transforming it into a hub for other respite options.