Lancashire's care homes are safe! After months of public outcry and protests, Reform councillors have announced a dramatic U-turn, stating that the care homes previously slated for closure will now receive investment instead. This news comes as a massive relief to hundreds of families and residents who feared losing these vital facilities.
The homes in question – Favordale in Colne, Grove House in Adlington, Milbanke in Kirkham, Thornton House in Thornton-Cleveleys, and Woodlands in Clayton-le-Moors – were all on the chopping block. Families of residents at Woodlands, in particular, had expressed their deep shock and dismay back in November, with one son describing the proposed closure as "cruel, especially from a party that claims to have respect for people who have contributed to society." It's understandable why the community felt so strongly; these homes are more than just buildings, they are havens for loved ones.
But here's where it gets controversial... While the Reform councillors are celebrating this as a victory, the Labour group on the council is calling it an "embarrassing" U-turn. Mark Clifford, the leader of the Labour group, praised the public's activism but also pointed fingers at the Reform party's handling of the situation, stating, "We welcome this, but we certainly don’t welcome the way they’ve been acting and treating the public and residents of these facilities all throughout this consultation." It seems there's a clear disagreement on how this decision came about.
Adding to the confusion, Reform councillor Graham Dalton reiterated on BBC Radio Lancashire that the homes were never actually intended for closure, but rather for a "review." He claimed, "There seems to have been a well-spun narrative that these care homes were supposed to be closing... There’s only ever been talk of a review." This assertion directly contradicts the council's earlier actions, which included publishing plans for closure with a specific timetable before initiating the consultation process. And this is the part most people miss: the council did publish plans to close these homes in the autumn, complete with a closure timetable, before starting the public consultation. So, was it a review all along, or a planned closure that was halted due to public pressure?
Cat Smith, the Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre, has also voiced her concerns, labeling the announcement as "chaotic" and questioning the source and nature of the promised investment. She emphasized the need for Reform to provide immediate clarity, calling the "level of confusion and frustration for vulnerable older adults, their families, and staff... unacceptable."
Despite the announcement, Reform councillors have clarified that no official decision has been made yet. The consultation period for the fate of these care homes, along with five day care centres, is set to conclude in March. A council spokesperson confirmed that officers are currently analyzing all feedback from the consultation and will present a report to the cabinet in the spring, where councillors will then make their final decisions.
This situation raises some important questions: Was the initial plan to close the homes, or was it truly just a review? How will the promised investment be funded, and what exactly will it entail? And most importantly, how should local authorities balance necessary reviews with the emotional and practical impact on residents and their families? What are your thoughts on this ongoing saga? Do you agree with the Labour party's assessment, or do you believe Reform's narrative of a review? Let us know in the comments below!
