Axe falls on homes

The cabinet's decision will now need to be rubber-stamped by the full council for the plans to go ahead to close 22 homes for the elderly and 13 homes for people with learning disabilities.

The plans, which will see 463 elderly people taken from care homes, have met with widespread opposition and horror - with some families believing lives will be lost amongst the frail and infirm as a result of the upset.

The council claims that all those currently living in homes will be moved into private care, or schemes such as extra care housing in the next year - but admits that at the moment it does not know how many free beds there are in private care in Staffordshire.

Banner-waving protesters demonstrated against the decison Martin Street, Stafford, outside the offices where the cabinet meeting took place today.

In a second exclusive interview with the Express & Star John Taylor, deputy leader of Staffordshire County Council said that authority does not 'need to know' at this stage - and that he is confident things will work out for the best.

He said: "Eric Robinson, the director for social care and health, has assured us that there are enough beds in the private sector, we have 220 private homes across the county and people won't be moved until we have found an appropriate placement."

Many of those assembled outside county buildings were furious that the county council has not consulted with residents, their family or staff over the plans, although Councillor Taylor said that this kind of discussion was not an option in this case.

He said: "It is the decision that people have the problem with. Even if we had consulted we would still have had to make this decision. People are bound to be wary of change. That is natural - we all are - but what we are proposing will mean tailor-made care packages for all elderly people.

"We know that moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do, but that doesn't stop people moving."

Councillor Taylor said that once the decision is finalised at full council the authority will begin the year-long process to close the homes.

He said: "There will be a three month period when specialist teams will go into homes to talk to residents and their families to develop individual care packages, and this will be done in an extremely sensitive way. We know we are dealing with vulnerable people."

Picture: Jennifer Gadsbey, from Roseneath Care Home in Stone, protesting outside the County Buildings.