Repairs a waste of money

The council says the cash is to provide essential repairs required by the Health and Safety executive and the money will come from the reserves.

But campaigners say it so ridiculous to spend so much money on properties they are planning to close down.

"It's crazy to spend so much money when they could go all the way and spend the £4 million needed to keep all the homes open," said one local campaigner.

"We all suspect the consultation process is a sham but this just shows that when they need money they can somehow magic it up from out of the blue."

The county is currently consulting over plans to axe 35 of its 48 homes, which, it claims, need £14.5 million to meet the requirements of the new Care Standards Act.

Critics say just £4.5 million is needed for essential maintenance,

Four homes in the Lancaster and Morecambe area are earmarked for closure, leaving only Dolphinlee House, Lancaster and Woodhill House, Morecambe while Slyne House, Moor Platt, Beaumont View and The Craggs will shut their doors before 2007.

Cllr Tony Martin, cabinet member responsible for resources, said: "I have said all along that we are engaged in a very real consultation with the people of Lancashire.

"I am now putting my money where my mouth is to ensure that none of our homes would be forced to close prematurely because of their condition.

"We care about the conditions in which our residents live, and I will not countenance any of the people we care for being in below par accommodation, however superficial are the necessary repairs.

The care home closure plan has prompted a storm of protest from members of the public, MPs and district councillors.

This week the Citizen also reveals some of the difficulties faced by ten of the 12 private providers of nursing care in the district.

Two separate private residential homes have given notice to their residents that they will close.