Liberal Democrat Derbyshire County Councillor Ed Fordham has set up a petition rejecting 'the option of closure' on seven care homes homes in the county at Brimington, Bakewell, Sandiacre, West Hallam, Clowne, New Mills and Tibshelf.for the elderly, identified by the authority as needing £27 million spending on them in repairs.
Ed explains that at first it was feared that this was just about the 7 care homes which need physical work and maintenance - but says upon reading the report it is clear that this is just the start.
The very start of the document clearly and deliberately compares Derbyshire with authorities who run very few or even no care homes, with authorities that have sold or closed all the local authority care homes.
There is NO comparison with similar authorities who have similar numbers of care homes such as Cumbria, Hampshire or Lancashire. Instead there is a clear direction of travel toward none.
Ed asks that if you support Derbyshire County Council being a provider of Direct Care Homes for Older People, please sign the petition and encourage others to do so. Once the petition reaches 7,500 signatures the issue can go before full council for debate.
add your name to the petition here - https://apps.derbyshire.gov.uk/applications/petitions/details.asp?PetitionID=354