Controversial axe for social enterprise confirmed

DENBIGHSHIRE Council's cabinet has voted to close a Rhyl social enterprise employing disabled people.

- By RICHARD EVANS

Councillors were called to a behind-closed-doors workshop in September and given a presentation on the Cefndy Healthcare social enterprise, proposing to close the venture after more than 40 years.

Based on Cefndy Road, 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.

But cabinet members last week unanimously voted to close the enterprise, blaming the competitive global market.

While the closure will cost £880k, including redundancy payments, the council believes it can recover around £600k by selling the site - with interest from Grwp Llandrillo Menai, which wants to expand its campus.

The decision follows an 18-month ‘viability review” which found the council-run manufacturer could not sustain itself without major investment.