OLD people's homes in East Lancashire are to be run by an independent organisation as part of a major shake-up aimed at staving off closures.

The move comes after it was revealed County Hall chiefs are looking at cutting £24 million from their budgets over the next 12 months.

Every department will be forced into savings and social services bosses were considering axing homes for the elderly and cutting back on concessionary travel schemes.

The social services department has been forced into making savings of just under £2 million in its annual budget.

The county council ordered a major review into the costs of running 48 homes in the county last year following concerns about spiralling costs.

And a major row was sparked with the decision to shut down Whiteacres in Burnley, the sole men-only establishment in the county.

But Lancashire County Council is now planning to hand over control of its old people's homes to independent organisations. The crunch decision was taken at a social services committee meeting on Friday.

An independent direct service organisation will now take over the running of the homes.

The newly formed DSO will also be given control of every homes budget along with the task of making budget cuts and savings.

Lancashire's social services chairman Doreen Pollitt welcomed the latest move and has slammed the Conservative opposition group. The Accrington based county councillor said: "I am very pleased that the committee has made this decision on the future of the homes for the elderly.

"I am however aghast at the amendment that was put forward by the opposition group.

"They called for the homes to be given the impossible task of saving £4.5 million next year while operating their own budgets."

Coun Pollitt added: "That would mean each having to make a saving of approximately £1,800 each week to achieve the target.

"If they did not make these savings some 25 homes would have to close to save the £4.5 million.

"These homes will be run on a tight budget but by doing this we will be giving them a chance. We are quite confident most of these homes will survive and become viable by the end of the year."

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