In a remarkable reversal, Reform councillors in Lancashire have announced that a group of care homes previously slated for closure will instead receive investment, following months of public outcry. This decision comes as a significant victory for residents, families, and advocates who fiercely opposed the council’s initial plans.
The homes in question – Favordale in Colne, Grove House in Adlington, Milbanke in Kirkham, Thornton House in Thornton-Cleveley, and Woodlands in Clayton-le-Moor – were all originally earmarked for closure. However, after a protest in Preston on Saturday that attracted hundreds of people, the council has now backtracked on its plans.
Mark Clifford, the leader of the council’s Labour group and the shadow cabinet member for adult social care, praised the efforts of those who fought against the council’s proposals, describing the U-turn as “embarrassing” for Reform but a “win for the residents and their families.”
“It’s a huge win because the public have voiced their thoughts and it has been a very, very embarrassing U-turn for Reform,” Clifford said. “We welcome this, but we certainly don’t welcome the way they’ve been acting and treating the public and residents of these facilities all throughout this consultation.”
The about-face comes after months of uncertainty and distress for the affected families. In November, the son of a Woodlands resident had called the planned closure “cruel, especially from a party that claims to have respect for people who have contributed to society.”
However, Reform councillors have sought to rewrite history, claiming that they never intended to close the homes in the first place. Graham Dalton, the cabinet member for adult social care, reiterated this stance on BBC Radio Lancashire, stating that “there’s only ever been talk of a review.”
Despite the announcement, the council has not yet officially made a decision, and the consultation process is set to continue until March. Cat Smith, the Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre, has called for “clarity” from Reform on the details of the new investment and has described the situation as “chaotic” and “unacceptable” for the vulnerable older adults, their families, and staff.
As the dust settles on this dramatic reversal, the residents and their loved ones can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that their beloved care homes have been granted a lifeline. This hard-fought victory serves as a testament to the power of community activism and the importance of holding local authorities accountable.
