Troubled care home to restrict numbers
Admissions to a troubled care home on the south Shropshire border will be limited in an attempt to placate furious residents, it was revealed today.
The measure is one of several announced by Keys Group, which operates Mill House Care Home in Paytoe Lane, near Leintwardine. The company will also have meetings with the parish council every two months.
Last month residents, including Only Fools and Horses star John Challis, demanded action from Keys Group after claiming the home, which takes vulnerable children, had caused a decade of rural unrest.
The meeting heard how West Mercia Police had been forced to conduct continuous searches for missing children and rural tensions had risen in February when Mr Challis's home, Wigmore Abbey, was raided by two youngsters who had absconded from Mill House, which is just 50 yards away.
Today, after reviewing residents' comments, Keys Group released a joint statement with Adforton Parish Council.
Keys Group bosses said they wanted to 're-establish and improve' Mill House's relationship with residents and would take a number of steps to better the situation.
The statement said: "Following a meeting held with representatives from the parish council and Keys, it has been agreed that we will meet together every two months to improve communication and monitor the situation and impact of the home on the local community of Paytoe.
"Keys are keen to re-establish and improve relationships between the home and local residents. Keys will limit admissions to the home whilst relationships improve."
It also said that it would plant a hedge around the boundary of the fence subject to permission and Keys would continue to operate the home for at least another 18 months.
