DENBIGHSHIRE has been slammed as undemocratic for its plans to close a Rhyl social enterprise employing disabled people.
Councillors were called to a behind-closed-doors “workshop” and presentation on the “Cefndy Healthcare” social enterprise on Tuesday ahead of a cabinet meeting taking place on September 23.
The organisation is branded as creating “meaningful, well-paid employment” for disabled people “encouraging and training its staff to maximise their potential”.
Cefndy Healthcare started in 1976 as “Cefndy Enterprises” as part of the then Clwyd County Council.
Employing 35 staff, both physically able and disabled, the social enterprise offers full manufacturing, from raw steel components, bending, welding, pressing, powder coating, assembly, upholstery to final despatch.
But backbenchers yesterday learnt of the plans to close the scheme, leaving some furious.
Rhyl councillor Brian Jones was outraged about the plans, claiming the authority wasn’t doing its duty to ensure democracy was maintained.
“I’m not happy in respect of last week’s planned full council meeting was cancelled at the discretion of the chair of Denbighshire County Council,” he said.
“The next scheduled meeting of the full council is November. That equates to a six-month gap since the last full council meeting.
“When you look across Denbighshire County Council and various issues that are ongoing with members, which include waste, regeneration, the future of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, and Cefndy Enterprises, it would appear that opposition is being stifled because there is too much of a debate going on behind closed doors at short notice, which leads to backbench councillors floundering, with not enough time to talk about options and talk about the issues.
“A staggering example of that is Cefndy Enterprises, where the councillors were invited yesterday (Tuesday) and given a verbal presentation about the status of Cefndy Enterprises and were virtually told that the position that is open to cabinet on 23 September is to close it.
“There are other options on the table, but the feeling in the room from the cabinet members was that they will go for closure. I criticised that decision.
“It would appear the deal is done, and it is going to close. Whilst disabled people might be offered another opportunity in Denbighshire, their expertise might be in areas that the council can’t use.”
He added: “In a nutshell, this whole Cefndy Enterprises project has been rushed to the council, and as a backbench councillor, you haven’t got a say in it anyway. Obviously, we want to hear the views, but less than three weeks before the final decision, it is too late, and it makes backbench councillor look silly in the eyes of their constituents.”
A spokesman for Denbighshire County Council commented: “Given the significant financial pressures facing the council, all services must consider options for ensuring they can continue to deliver services.
“In order to do this, alternative ways of delivering services must be considered. As a manufacturing facility, the global market that Cefndy Healthcare operates in has been economically challenging, with more recent worldwide events, including the cost of steel and trade tariffs exacerbating these issues, all of which is outside the council’s control.
“Due to these factors, the council has consistently monitored Cefndy Healthcare’s position, including undertaking a number of formal reviews considering the potential options regarding the facility’s future.
“Discussions with staff and stakeholders are currently ongoing. It is important to stress that no decision has been made yet regarding the future of Cefndy Healthcare.”
He added: “A lengthy council workshop, which was held for all elected members of Denbighshire County Council, was held yesterday (Tuesday) to brief members ahead of a report going to cabinet for a decision on Cefndy Healthcare’s future.”
