Westwood handed over

It is one of six Notts County Council care homes to be taken on by the company, an agreement which will trigger a £9.4 million investment in older persons care over the next five years.

All 67 employees from Westwood will transfer to Runwood Homes. Fees for existing residents will remain at agreed county council rates for a minimum of three years and all additional services in the homes will also be retained.

The county council will get a £2.5 million capital receipt from Runwood Homes, which will be put towards new investments in extra care and day services.

The switch will also save the authority £900,000 a year in running costs, which will fund services to help older people stay in their own homes for longer.

Coun Kay Cutts, leader of the council, said: “Our care homes, residents and employees are in safe hands. Runwood Homes has an excellent reputation in the care industry and a successful track record of taking on and improving former local authority care homes.”

“I am satisfied that the transfer to Runwood Homes is the best possible outcome for the future of older persons care in Notts.”

Gordon Sanders, Chief Executive of Runwood Homes added: “I also want to reassure existing residents that they will continue to enjoy continuity as current staff are transferring to our employment.”