THE FIGHT to save Oakwood old folk's home has been lost as the last four council care homes and two day centres are closed to save money.

Thousands signed petitions to keep them open and senior Labour councillors joined the opposition but the Chronicle has obtained a report recommending their closure.

It will go before the Joint Agency Group on Monday and it is understood there will be no opposition from the JAG board, made up of the council and health bosses who control the town’s adult services.

It is the second battle in two years the Royston Tenants and Residents Association has fought to save Oakwood, which also runs one of the two day centres which will be shut and relocated elsewhere. But this time public pressure was not enough.

TARA secretary Fred Harston said: “There are so many against this decision. They have not taken the public feeling into account. It is catastrophic.”

The JAG report states public sector residential care is too expensive, especially as it would cost a reported £2m to bring the buildings up to scratch.

The aim is to channel resources into helping people remain in their own homes.

Millions of pounds need to be cut from the older people’s budget and during public consultation people were warned alternatives to losing the homes and centres ‘could be worse.’

The report claims when the implications of the proposals were explained people were supportive.