THE LAST four council-owned old folk’s homes are being recommended for closure because they cost too much to run.
Staff at Greenside House at Staincross, Highfield Grange at Wombwell, Oakwood at Royston and Green Park House in Penistone were told bosses had agreed recommendations to close the homes on Tuesday.
The proposals will now be put out for public consultation until the end of October. If approved, the closures will take place in April.
The news came as the Primary Care Trust, which manages the homes on behalf of the council, admitted it stopped letting new residents move in to them seven years ago.
Leader of Barnsley Independent Group Coun Ron Fisher thinks the closure idea is disgraceful.
“The local authority ought to be able to provide quality care and if that provision is taken away it will be a very sorry day for Barnsley and this Labour council.”
Older People’s Forum support worker Norma Brundell said her group was against the move but feared cuts in services for the elderly would be made elsewhere if it was blocked.
