SWINDON Council's failure to decide what to do with its six residential care homes will mean more council tax increases.

The authority's decision-making cabinet last week decided to close two of the homes and was about to start consulting on exactly which ones would close.

But the scrutiny review board the council's internal watchdog has decreed the debate be taken back to cabinet for further discussion, a move that will have a knock-on effect on next year's rates.

The council has three choices. It can keep all six homes open, which would cost around £2 million in the short-term, it can close two, which would cost £1 million or it can transfer all six to a not-for-profit company, but this would require £6 million to bring them up to the statutory standard.

But because a decision will not be made before next year's budget is finalised in February the council will have to account for all options when setting the council tax.

Social services will consult with residents and staff at the home and family members, but that is likely to take three months. The final decision will rest with full council and not be discussed before January next year only a month before the budget is set.

The council's lead member for social services, Jemima Milton (Con, Wroughton and Chiseldon), said: "These homes are not fit to meet national care standards because the rooms are too small there's nothing we can do apart from knocking them down and starting again, which is unfeasible.

"The Labour and Liberal Democrat groups are making this a political football and the only people this is affecting is the elderly and most vulnerable in society. The Labour group didn't want to consult on which two homes to close they wanted to consult on keeping all of them open or closing two of them we say that's unrealistic.

"This is delaying the whole consultation process and will more than likely affect next year's budget."

The axe hangs over Fessey House in Haydon Wick, Langton House, Wroughton, Lease Hill, Moredon, Pinetrees, Pinehurst, Whitbourne House, Park South and Wick House in Liden.

Scrutiny review board member Maureen Caton (Lab, Moredon) said: "When you consult you don't just give people one option you give people a series of options there should be a proper debate."

The scrutiny review board is allowed to refer reports back to cabinet twice after which time, if there is no agreement, the matter is referred to full council for determination.

Wendy Johnson (Lib Dem, Old Town and Lawns) and chairman of the scrutiny review board, said: "The view of the board is that we should be looking into how we carry out our responsibilities to elderly people.

"We were not convinced having a pre-determined view on closing homes is the correct way forward."

Swindon Council spokesman, Gavin Calthrop, added: "We can confirm that if a decision is not reached by the time the budget is set then all options have to be accounted for."

gsheldrick@newswilts.co.uk