TWO council-owned care homes in Swindon are to be closed, despite pleas for a stay of execution.

Coun Kevin Small (Western), the Labour group leader on Swindon Council, is demanding a full consultation before action is taken.

Condemning the decision by the Tory dominated cabinet to go ahead with closures as heartless, Coun Small said: "The Tories' failure to properly consult on this issue has further delayed the decision, creating worry for many elderly residents.

"The cabinet was presented with an opportunity to listen to reason, but persisted in pushing the closures through."

Two of six council-run care homes Fessey House in Haydon Wick, Langton House in Wroughton, Lease Hill in Moredon, Pinetrees in Pinehurst, Whitbourne House in Park South and Wick House in Liden will close.

A decision on which two is not expected before February.

The Labour group says flawed decision-making has cost Social Services an estimated £110,000 so far.

"The inclusion of a full set of consultation proposals in the cabinet's initial report would have avoided such costs," said Coun Small.

He said the cabinet's budget proposals included a £750,000 contingency, "in case all six residential homes remain open, highlighting the Tories motives to axe the homes regardless".

The Lib Dems have also warned that there should be a consultation.

But Coun Jemima Milton (Con, Wroughton and Chiseldon), the council's lead member for Social Services, dismissed the criticism as flawed.

"We're in this situation because the Labour group dragged its feet for two years or more when in control of the council," said Coun Milton.

"It has been known for a long time that homes would have to be shut but the previous administration did nothing. It's a cheek for them now to accuse us of costing the taxpayer.

"The £110,000 Coun Small refers to is running costs while the two homes are kept open.

"To delay further and consult more when the inevitable is already known would be to merely add to the taxpayers' burden, which we're trying to avoid. It's opposition groups who are adding to the cost, not us."

Coun Milton pointed to stricter Government regulations for the demise of council-run care homes.

Rules stipulating minimum bedroom sizes, en suite facilities and staffing requirements will ring the death knell for all six of Swindon's care homes in time, she said.

"Our care homes are just not suitable for conversion. Any money we throw at them will inevitably be only a short-term solution.

"More and more we shall have to rely on the private sector for providing care."

Michael Litchfield