BURNLEY council officers are preparing a report on the threatened closure of Whiteacres home for elderly but an immediate protest to Lancashire County Council has been ruled out.

By 21 votes to12 Burnley Council decided to wait until the report goes to the General Purposes Committee next month before deciding what action to take. Independent councillor Harry Brooks called for the council to record its determined opposition to the closure threat which he described as barbaric.

He said: "To close it and disrupt the existence of the residents endangering their very lives through the consequent stress would be an act of barbarity that this council should resist by any means possible.'' Coun Brooks said there were indications that the consultation process was a sham.

County Coun Irene Roberts, he said, had written to the daughter of a resident regretting the decision to close Whiteacres, regretting that it was one of three to be closed, saying that the cost was a contributing factor to the decision to close and that she was sorry she couldn't be more helpful.

Coun Brooks said: "Lancashire County Council should not be allowed to get away with this cynical, barbaric and uncivilised behaviour.

"I ask you to stand together with the residents and the thousand people who have signed a petition against the closure.''

Coun Gordon Birtwistle said a care worker had told him that five care homes had been sold. "It is a disgraceful situation,'' he said.

Council leader Stuart Caddy commented: "We have a proper democratic process to go through although I can accept some of the points made.

"The consultation exercise started in June and goes on until August 21. ''

He said the council recognised the public anxiety and would respond when it had gone to the GP committee.

Coun Birtwistle said that was a fob to put the whole thing off. "We have to stand up and fight now,'' he declared.

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