IT'S been called a consultation process, but in reality the county council has been hell-bent on the closure of the old people's homes since day one.

Protest marches, petitions galore and editorial postbags bulging with feelings of hostility and dismay have seemingly failed to make any real impact on the ostrich-like leaders of county hall.

So much for democracy. So much for the opinions of the people who our county leaders are supposed to be serving.

Yes, a handful of homes have been saved - and quite frankly that minor victory is almost certainly down to the public outcry that followed - but the majority are still set to close.

We are not saying that this is a matter of cold-hearted county councillors failing to care for the elderly - although their strategic thinking looks badly flawed. We are also not saying that a range of approaches, including care at home, should not be part of the council's strategy.

What we ARE saying is that the closures are a case of too much, too soon and it will be a minor miracle if the plans do not lead to a significant number of residents being shunted out of their homes against their wishes.

This week Councillor Chris Cheetham, given a full platform by this paper to put forward his views, said that residents would move "at most twice during the refurbishment programme".

Well, that's all right then isn't it Councillor Cheetham?

Which fantasy world is he inhabiting?

MP Gordon Prentice rightly shoots this statement to pieces when he argues that moving just one resident is seismic enough for most people of advanced years.

Isn't this the crux of the matter? Some residents will HAVE to move whether they like it or not.

Just how many, it is hard to assess but given their track record in the management of care for the elderly, it is difficult to have much faith in the ability of the county to manage these closures deftly.

The criticism of the county council has NOT been a matter of scaremongering, as some county councillors would have it. It's a matter of common sense: the closures programme is worryingly drastic.

That is the opinion of the overwhelming majority. They have sent a deafening message to our county leaders making their position as clear as day.

The question is: IS ANYBODY LISTENING?