THE social services chief will be open to question on the proposals to close care homes in South Ribble at a public meeting on September 3.

County councillor Chris Cheetham will be at the Civic Centre, West Paddock, Leyland, from 6pm, where he will be interviewed by members of South Ribble Borough Council's Community Interests Scrutiny Committee.

Members of the public will also be able to put questions to Coun Cheetham.

South Ribble currently has four care homes, Broadfield House, Peterfield House, New Manor and Charnley Fold House. The borough is undergoing a consultation period until September 10 due to the fact that original plans to close Broadfield House and retain Perterfield House have been reversed.

It is now proposed Broadfield House will eventually become a 'high dependency unit'. New Manor and Charnley Fold are currently being proposed to close on a phased basis.

Coun Cheetham said: "By controlling admissions and paying for the elderly to go into private care homes we will manage caring for the elderly. The plan is carefully worked out which is why it is going to cost £3 million."

After the meeting, the scrutiny committee will report back to the full council the following day when they will recommend a response to the latest consultation.