A SPECIAL meeting between care home owners and social services bosses is being held in Blackburn, following a row over cuts in payments.

The Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Care Association accused the Blackburn with Darwen Council of failing to consult the trade in the run-up to local government reorganisation.

The new council is set to take charge of social services from April and has been forced into making budget cuts.

Social services bosses were stung by the claims of the care associations and have already held talks with the home owners.

The decision to organise the open forum was taken following the first round of negotiations. The Lancashire Care Association has also been invited to the open forum, which is set to take place next month.

Social services chairman Sue Reid, said: "The council has a long and proud record of close working relationships with the private and voluntary sector.

"I see absolutely no reason, with goodwill and mutual respect, why a similar relationship cannot be established with the care home owners."

Frank Hessey, chairman of the Lancashire Care Association, said: "I thought we had an extremely positive meeting and it will be a good start to what I am certain will be a long-standing partnership.

"I was particularly impressed with the elected members' grasp of the major issues facing us both locally and nationally."

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