TWO old folks homes have been put under the axe for a second time despite a High Court reprieve.

Warthfield in Bury and Whittaker House in Radcliffe are once more under threat of closure.

Social services bosses say the reasons for shutting them remain the same as they were before residents made their successful court challenge.

Councillors voted to go down the same road at Wednesday's (Sept 25) executive, despite warnings that they were making the same mistakes as before.

However, they are going to consult all parties over the next two months, and say they are open to persuasion before a final decision is made in January.

Labour members again said that the council provides too many spaces in residential homes, and not enough care packages to help people live in their own homes.

But opposition councillors David Higgin and Tim Pickstone voted against the proposal. They were worried that neither councillors, nor the council's solicitor, had seen a full transcript of the High Court case, when the judge ruled that Bury had not consulted properly or given full information in its first attempt to close the homes.

Coun Higgin, Tory group leader, wanted to defer a decision, pending further talks.

"We have some bridges to build and this is an opportunity to do that, to bring people on-side and have a decision which is much more acceptable to everyone concerned," he said.

Ms Yvonne Hossack, the solicitor who represented residents in their court case, forecast that this consultation process was going to be as flawed as the last.

She pointed out that the council had only five vacancies in its old folks homes, once Warthfield was taken out of the equation. Many of the borough's private homes had none or only one vacancy.

Residents at the meeting wanted the council to have better home care packages in place before the homes were shut. They also worried about lack of choice for people needing care in years to come.

Coun Mike Connolly, executive member for social services, said the whole shake-up was about giving people more choice.

"For some people, residential care will always be an option, but it's not for others, and they have a right to be kept in their own home with the right care packages," he said.

"We want consultation to be open and transparent. Any alternative proposals that anyone else wishes to put forward will be taken into consideration and looked at seriously."

The timetable for consultation starts next week. Individual sessions will be held with residents, relatives, staff and their advocates. Various groups will be consulted, including Age Concern, Bury Pensioners Association and the campaign group Care And Respect for the Elderly.

Managers and committees will collate and discuss the findings, before the executive formally votes on January 24.