AN action group set up to save care homes has threatened to take legal action if the county council does not meet with its representatives within the next fortnight.

An emergency meeting was held at Nelson Town Hall between the various district councils in Lancashire to decide on what steps should be taken in light of the latest proposals to keep open just three of the 35 homes threatened with closure.

Leader of Pendle Council, Councillor Azhar Ali, who organised the meeting said the action group, made up of representatives from district councils, had been set up to co-ordinate any further action.

The representatives called for a meeting with the county council before August 23, the extended deadline for public consultation, to discuss how they could work together and to put forward their view that no decision should be made until all the various parties have been consulted.

They said that if this did not happen the action group would explore the possibility of taking legal action against the county council on the basis it would be a flawed consultation.

The county council was also threatened with a judicial review on August 1 when Lancashire Care Homes Action Group served notice that it intended to fight the county council's decision in the High Court.

It told the county council to stop its plans within 14 days or be taken to court.

Coun Azhar Ali said: "We fully support the Government's proposed reforms that are intended to lead to an evolutionary change within the social sector and accept that 'status quo' is not a viable option. Furthermore, we welcome the recent announcement by the Secretary of State for Health, Alan Milburn MP, that an extra £1billion will be invested over the next four years for social services for the elderly.

"We, therefore, call upon Lancashire County Council not to make any decision until further consultation with local authorities, Lancashire Care Association, NHS Primary Care Trusts and other interested parties takes place."

Leader of Burnley Council, Coun Stuart Caddy, said: "The meeting went very well. There's got to be some dialogue with Lancashire County Council. It's not about the proposals now but the future strategy for the elderly residents which the county council does not have."

County Coun Chris Cheetham, cabinet member for social services, said: "We are more than happy to meet with the district councils and have been ever since the consultation began. We already had a meeting arranged with Burnley Council at our request and we are going to be meeting soon with South Ribble Overview and Scrutiny Committee."

A final decision will be made by the county council on September 26.