UNION officials claim that council owned buildings could be sold off, leading to job losses and poorer services for vulnerable people.

Concerns about possible sell-offs have been raised by members of the Bolton Council branch of Unison.

A union newsletter says the property and land prices at the Bolton end of Chorley New Road could lead to attempts to cash in on the buildings the local authority owns in the area.

Implications

The newsletter states: "While this may generate short-term revenue, Unison members are concerned about the long-term implications for jobs and services. If the rumours are true, it begs the question - how far will the council be prepared to go in selling off its assets?"

It says New Overdale and East Lodge look certain to be going and the services of Thomasson House and Greenmount Elderly Persons Home are moving to other locations, with the likelihood that Greenmount House is being prepared for sell off.

Unison say social services chiefs have unveiled plans to close Elizabeth Ashmore House which offers services to profoundly disabled children and their families - tied to a planned partnership with the NHS. Unison says this could lead to the loss of seven short-term care places in Bolton.

Unison branch secretary Pauline Dixon said: "The proposed selling of local authority owned properties may damage the services provided. The direction the authority is taking is worrying in respect of service provision for the most vulnerable people of our community.

"The uncertainty and rumours surrounding this issue are very demoralising for the members concerned and Unison will be demanding assurances about the future of jobs and services."

Bolton Council leader councillor Bob Howarth said: "We are looking at rationalising our buildings but this is nothing new, we have been looking at this for many years.

"If we have a choice between using one building instead of two and one is in a prime residential area and the other is not, provided the other is suitable and could be improved we would look to sell the building in the prime residential area. It makes more sense.

"There is no point having unused buildings in prime locations, we want the best value for the citizens of Bolton."