Three properties will be bought by the council to boost social service provision within the county.

Ceredigion County Council’s cabinet has approved plans to buy three properties one to be used as a parent and baby assessment facility and two which will be used as ‘dispersed units’ assisting the West Wales Domestic Abuse Service.

Some of the details of the proposals, including financial information, were in exempt documents not discussed at Tuesday’s (February 23) cabinet meeting, although reference was made to the availability of Welsh Government funding to support the schemes.

The property bought for a parent and baby assessment unit would replace the existing two-bedroom flat that is rented from Barcud, and would enable day, overnight and extended stay assessments to be carried out, said Cllr Dafydd Edwards, cabinet member for highways and environmental services, housing and customer contact.

It would bring the service in county which would reduce costs, with an average 12 week placement costing around £4,000 per week, and was welcomed by Cllr Alun Williams, cabinet member for Porth Cynnal.

A report to cabinet states that this financial year there have been four out of county assessments totalling £48,000 to date.

A property has been identified, purchase price negotiated and is awaiting final confirmation from council.

The dispersed units will be in the Aberystwyth area, with one near Bronglais to also be used as a Sexual Assault Referral Centre, resulting in three such units for the county, and will improve access to disabled victims or families with children with learning disabilities.

They will require upgrading and fitting-out with specialist equipment including door access and monitoring systems including security doors, CCTV, access control systems and level access showers,  said Cllr Edwards.

A Penparcau property has been identified and is awaiting final council confirmation, with cabinet agreeing that discussions on a potential suitable property on Waunfawr be finalised by the corporate lead officer of Porth Cynnal and the two relevant cabinet members.