THE future of care provision in Bolton will finally be decided when the council’s cabinet committee meet to ratify a revamp.

Councillors will discuss proposals to close elderly care home Firwood House in Crompton Way, and axe intermediate and respite care at Winifred Kettle Community Care Centre in Westhoughton.

Council chiefs insisted the moves are not cost-cutting measures and will allow them to expand their provision of home care for respite patients thanks to a £616,000 investment, made jointly with NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Campaigners compiled two petitions opposing the reforms to Winifred Kettle, attracting more than 2,000 signatures between them.

Bolton Council has recommended members to approve the changes, including a recently announced intention to turn Winifred Kettle into a pioneering day-care centre.

The meeting takes place at Bolton town hall on May 14.