COUNCILLORS will consider closing a Bridport care home described as 'not fit for purpose' - and move it to a proposed new community hub.

Dorset County Council have agreed to look at constructing a new care home at the site of the Fisherman's Arms day centre, South Street - which could replace the Sidney Gale residential home along Flood Lane.

According to the council, Sidney Gale no longer provides the facilities most older people and their relatives expect. Investigations will be part of a feasibility study currently taking place for a proposed community hub at the South Street site.

Catherine Driscoll, director for adult and community services at Dorset County Council, said: "The Fisherman's Arm's site provides us with a town centre location for the community hub, and could also be a suitable site for a new care home.

"The option to replace Sidney Gale Care Home is based on the fact that the home cannot be considered fit for purpose in the longer term and it's not financially viable to upgrade the building.

"Like all councils, we need to promote and support independence, and offer innovative community based support for people. Some of our existing services in Bridport, including Sidney Gale Care Home, are in out-dated facilities and do not always offer value for money - even thought the quality of care is good.

"The council is committed to ensuring that local people have access to high-quality residential and day care which not only meets the needs of today's service users, but is able to meet future challenges."

The council’s Cabinet will look at plans in more detail in June. If agreed, interested parties would be given a chance to express their views before any proposals were further developed.

The council has agreed to invest £4.7 million to support social care services in Bridport, including day services, care for older people and support for people to stay healthy and independent in the community for as long as possible. The budget does not include the cost of the new care home, and options to work alongside a strategic partner, such as a housing association or care home developer to build the new home will be considered as part of the feasibility study.

If plans to build a care home at the proposed site proves to be realistic, care home users, their relatives, staff and the public will be given an opportunity to contribute to developing any plans.