PEMBROKESHIRE County Council’s Cabinet approved the closure of a Narberth residential home on Monday morning.

Members were unanimous in agreeing the recommendation to close Sunnybank, but said they did so with a heavy heart.

The home, which has eight residents, has recently been the subject of a 15-week consultation period.

A report to the council last November revealed that the cost of maintaining each resident at the home was more than £1,000 a week- more than twice the cost of commissioning a residential placement in the independent sector.

It also said that repairing physical defects of the 1960s building and bringing it up to modern day stands would cost the council around £3 million.

Following the decision there will be no new admissions to the home while existing residents will be supported to move to alternative accommodation of their choice.

Key stakeholders left the meeting disheartened, along with the local member Councillor Wynne Evans who has been heavily involved in the scrutiny process of the review.

Cllr David Simpson said: “I’ve had many conversations with Wynne. In Narberth he’s had to deal with the pool closure, a school closure and now this.

“Out of three, this is by far the worst as there is no satisfactory outcome.”

Councillor Elwyn Morse said: “It’ll be a sad day when Sunnybank closes, and for the people who have worked tirelessly there.”

The leader of the council, Councillor Jamie Adams added: “We’ll do all we can to support staff and residents through this process.

“It is not a position of our choosing, but one we have to take responsibility for.”