By NICK EVANS

The proposal that there would be only one care home in Burnley is felt to be totally inadequate

Councillors want to question county hall plans

COUNCILLORS in Burnley have called for a meeting with county chiefs to voice their concerns about proposals to close 35 care homes in Lancashire.

The call came after members of Burnley Borough Council submitted their response to the county council proposals on the future of residential and day care services in the county.

The county council is proposing to reduce costs by reducing the current provision of 48 homes down to 13 -- one for each district council area.

But councillors in Burnley have urged county bosses to re-think the strategy which they say would leave many old people without adequate care.

A draft response to the proposals was discussed at an executive meeting of Burnley Borough Council this week and says there is "strong opposition to the proposals."

The report, by social welfare director Mick Cartledge, adds: "The proposal that there would be only one care home in Burnley is felt to be totally inadequate for the borough. The council feels that the county council should listen to the views of people who are also opposed to the closures.

"The council is extremely concerned at both the impact on current residents who will need to vacate homes and also the impact on the availibility of places for future generations. In conclusion, I can only restress the major concerns of this council and ask that there is a strong re-think regarding the future of residential care services for older people."

More than 1,000 people attended a march earlier this month, in opposition of county council proposals for the closure of the homes.

Burnley Mayor Gordon Birtwistle, who organised the march through the town with the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, joined the crowds.

The community has rallied in its support against Lancashire County Council's proposals to close 35 of its 48 care homes -- 19 of which are in East Lancashire. The proposals came after it was revealed that £14.5 million needed to be spent on repairs and for the homes to meet new government standards.

Petitions from five care homes threatened with the axe in the Burnley area have been gathered with more than 1,100 signatures.

The consultation period on the proposals ends on Friday, June 14 with a meeting of the county council cabinet set to discuss them on July 1.

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice has said he expects a radical U-turn by the council when they look at the results of the consultation.

He added: "The county council's proposals to close 35 care homes for the elderly has been rejected by people across Lancashire. I'm sure the county council will have to think again.

"No-one in Government, from the Prime Minister down, has a good word to say about the proposals. The Pendle MP has opposed the plans from the start and has attended rallies in Barnoldswick and Burnley.