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Council leader in row over homes

From the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, first published Thursday 4th Apr 2002.

A COUNCIL leader due to stand in next month's local elections has been blasted for using the proposed closure of 35 of Lancashire's 48 care homes as a political issue.

Relatives of those affected and rival politicians today pleaded with Peter Britcliffe, leader of Hyndburn Council, to keep the care homes debate out of next month's borough elections.

Voters will go to the polls in six out of East Lancashire's seven boroughs next month, of which five are directly affected by Lancashire County Council's closure proposals.

But the elections will only pick borough councillors, who have no control over the county council's plans.

The county councillors who will take the decision are not due to be re-elected until 2005.

In a statement this week, Coun Britcliffe said: "I deplore the treatment being dished out to elderly people throughout East Lancashire, but Labour controlled Lancashire County Council.

"The electors of this area have the chance to show what they think of these closures on May 2.

"Throughout East Lancashire, Conservative candidates are totally against the proposed closure of these homes, irrespective of where they are from.

"Conservative candidates are speaking with one voice: 'Keep our homes open.'

"Let's make the election a referendum on Labour's planned closures."

County council leader Hazel Harding said: "The political groups at county hall have worked to make sure this doesn't become a political issue. It is more important than that.

"We are trying to do what is best. Unfortunately, some of the public meetings have been hijacked by councillors with closed-minds and their own agenda which is no good for the consultation.

"The fact we have so many homes is testament to how much this authority cares."

Leader of Hyndburn's Labour group, Ian Ormerod, said: "This is deplorable. As the Hyndburn Labour group, we are totally opposed to these closures

"There is nothing we can do halt the proposals although we will fight them all the way. These are borough elections. They are about the borough council's ability to do its job -- things like emptying the bins and keeping the town centre tidy.

"The care home closures should not be an election issue. It would be like us telling people not to vote Conservative because their national policies are no good."

Lynne Atkinson's mother, Marian Storey, is one of hundreds of residents who face being moved. She lives in Hill Top Home in Baxenden.

Mrs Atkinson said: "We have had councillors ask if they can join our committee to fight the closures and we have said they can as long as they do not use it for political purposes. This is about more than politics and it shouldn't be used for that."

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