FIVE old folks' homes and several sheltered housing schemes in the Bury area could be closed in a huge shake-up of social services.

Councillors have been presented with reports proposing drastic changes in the way Bury looks after its senior citizens.

Their aim is to promote independence and help old people live a full life in the community. If accepted, there will be only two or three council-run homes left.

A few years ago, the council had ten homes. Since then Croich Hey has closed, and two others, Killelea in Bury and Claremont in Prestwich, are in the process of being turned into a resource centre and a very sheltered housing scheme respectively.

Mark Sanders, Bury Council's chief executive, said: "This is a very powerful set of recommendations, which we need to consider with some speed if we are to improve the services in the best interests of older people."

A lengthy review has come up with four findings of Bury's service to old people: firstly, the range of community care services was very limited; secondly, that the borough relied too much on residential homes. Thirdly, that the council should develop a much wider range of services such as very sheltered housing, intensive home care and rehabilitation services; and finally, services which are to be kept should be improved.

For elderly people, the main priority now is to develop community services such as 24-hour intensive care, very sheltered housing, specialist dementia care, and rehabilitation.

Another priority identified is to reduce the number of council home places by 140, which could see several homes turned into resource centres such as Killelea.

Another recommendation is to transfer five council homes to the independent sector.

However, a second list of options goes even further. These are to reduce council home places by 170, and make five homes stop providing residential care and become resource centres.

Another possibility is to transfer four homes to the independent sector or, if this is not feasible, close them.

Priorities for sheltered housing suggest that at least one scheme should be closed, and three others made "de-sheltered". Others should be adapted and improved, and the number of bedsits reduced, as well as a revamped warden service.

Big changes are also proposed in home care, which may mean keeping an in-house service for highly dependent people and handing the rest to the independent sector.

Bosses anticipate making savings of £450,000 from these three areas if the proposals are accepted, which they say will be reinvested in alternative services.

Efficiency savings have not yet been identified in the community meals service, Carelink and day care. The grand total may reach £1 million.

Members at Wednesday's ( Nov 14) executive committee said that wider consultations would now start.

They have referred the proposals to the health, housing and social services scrutiny and review panel for full investigation before reaching a decision.

Consultants are to be appointed to appraise options and come up with firm recommendations to council early in the new year.

Councillor Mike Connolly, executive member for health, housing and social services, says that the review proposes "fundamental changes in services and the way they are provided.

"These changes are based on the needs and aspirations of older people who wish to lead active and fulfilled lives as much as possible."