LIB DEMS PROMISE TO FIGHT CARE HOME CLOSURES

12.00.00am GMT Sun 13th Dec 2009

Leading Liberal Democrats in Durham have slammed the Labour County Council over plans to close local care homes and have promised to fight "tooth and nail" against the closures.

Lib Dem Councillor Carol Woods said, "I am horrified to discover that the Council are looking to close care homes in Durham. It is clear that our fears over the new Unitary Council were well-founded.

"Looking after residents in their old age is a fundamental duty of any Council. These people have paid taxes all their life, they deserve good quality care to be provided locally. Today's news will only bring anger and uncertainty, not only for the residents and their families but for staff members too.

"At the Council meeting on Wednesday I asked the Labour leaders to confirm there would be no job cuts or loss of frontline services as a result of their financial mismanagement. They refused to give any assurances on this and it is now clear why; closure of care homes will certainly mean job losses on top of the heartache of uprooting and relocating residents.

"The Council cannot be allowed to get away with this. I will fight tooth and nail against any plans to close care homes in Durham."

Carol also criticised the Council's secrecy over the issue.

She said, "It is unacceptable that Councillors and residents only find out about this through the local press. There is an arrogance at the heart of this Labour Council - they have put these plans in place without consulting anyone and without any public scrutiny.

"Labour were desperate to impose this new Council on us, against the wishes of the people, and we are all now paying the price. The cost of the new Council is £6.5 million more than expected this year. I'm sure if you asked local people what they would rather spend money on - caring for elderly residents or rearranging the deckchairs at County Hall - I'm sure I know what their answer would be."

Nigel Martin, Lib Dem group leader, also voiced his concern.

Nigel commented, "The issue of council run old people's homes has arisen yet again with insufficient scrutiny by members of the council.

"Given the financial situation and the importance of protecting some of our most vulnerable citizens, the issue must be dealt with through open and public debate not by a private meeting of one party behind closed doors.

"This was not on the latest version of the Council's forward plan and once it has been through the Labour Group, objective consideration by the Council's Scrutiny Committees will be impossible as the Labour whip will silence any debate.

"Yet again Labour at County Hall is showing a total lack of respect for people in this County and the Council's Leadership clearly has no confidence in its own ability to discuss these issues with the people who elect them."