Hundreds of people gathered on the Flag Market in Preston to protest against plans which could see ten elderly care facilities in the county close.
The five care homes and five day centres run by the local authority – in Chorley, Fylde, Hyndburn, Lancaster, Pendle, Rossendale, West Lancashire and Wyre – were placed under review back in October after County Hall warned that the buildings which they occupy were in “significantly poor condition”.
The plans have sparked concern among residents, users and their families and has seen opposition politicians campaign heavily.
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Reform UK, who lead Lancashire County Council, launched a public consultation and stressed that no firm conclusion has yet been reached. A final decision was expected in February, but that has been delayed after over 1,600 responses were received.
A protest was held on Saturday (17 January) at 12pm at the Flag Market where there were calls for Lancashire County Council to rule out any closures.
North West UNISON were joined by opposition councillors from Progressive Lancashire and Labour, along with Labour MPs including Lorraine Beavers, for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, Sarah Smith, for Hyndburn and Andy McNae, for Rossendale and Darwen.
Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council and county councillor representing Preston Central West, said his party will be putting forward a motion calling for the future of the sites to be secured and backing
He told Blog Preston: “It’s important to take a stand. These proposals and delays are causing a huge amount of stress and anxiety, not just for the residents but for families and workers.
“Many of the residents are elderly and vulnerable and it’s putting their health at serious risk. Reform need to abandon these proposals as soon as possible.
“As leader of Preston City Council, sometimes you need to choose a side. And the entire Preston Labour group is behind this campaign. We will put in a motion later this month that says that these facilities should not be closed, privatised or outsourced.
“That motion will say that Preston’s Labour council will stand behind UNISON in whatever action they choose to take, including industrial action.”
The protest then marched through Preston city centre.
James RUPA, UNISON’s regional officer, told Blog Preston: “We are calling on Lancashire County Council to end the uncertainty, end the limbo, keep these places open, invest in them and keep them under public control.
“The workers are very angry at the timing of the announcement and the uncertainty it causes residents. Our UNISON members may take action in response to this.
“If there is no intention to close these homes – all they need to do is come to the cabinet meeting next week and make that clear.”
The county council has commissioned new condition surveys for all 10 of the buildings under review, which it says will be part of the decision-making process.
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