COUNCILLORS have refused to grant a reprieve for two council run OAP homes earmarked for closure.

In spite of intense public pressure they rubber stamped a decision to shut Stocks Park in Horwich and Lever Edge House in Great Lever.

Protesters gathered outside last night's full council meeting hoping to persuade councillors to do an eleventh hour U-turn and grant a reprieve.

And they packed the public gallery at Bolton town hall to hear Horwich Cllr Barbara Ronson call for the closure plans to be looked at again.

Cllr Ronson claimed the council had been pushed into a financial corner by Whitehall. But she added: "I want to make absolutely sure that before we close these homes we have examined every possible option.

"There will be an election soon. If there is a change of government and this makes it easier on councils it will be too late to get them back."

But Cllr Cliff Morris said accountants could spend months studying the books but would never find the money without hitting other services.

He replied: "This decision was made with with reluctance. But to take it back and have another six weeks debate would be wrong and immoral. It would give people false hope. "We sometimes have very difficult decisions to make and this is one of them."

After Cllr Ronson was voted down in a named vote there were shouts from the public gallery and leaflets were tossed into the council chamber.

One protester who left in tears said: "I think its disgusting these old people will have to leave their homes."

UNISON leader Rosa Kay - who helped workers resist moves to cut staff wages in order to reduce costs in council run OAP homes - said: "I feel disappointed and upset.

"Our staff should not have been asked to pay for services out of their wages. "They already pay their council tax like everybody else and should not have to make further sacrifices."

UNISON have been told all the job losses will be through natural wastage but detailed negotiations have yet to start.

All five Liberal Democrats present and Labour's Cllr Betty McCracken from Horwich supported Cllr Ronson's call for a re-examination of the issue. There was one abstention and one absenteeism but every other councillor voted against the amendment.

Protesters pasted a petition against the closure on paving outside the town hall which councillors arriving at the meeting had to walk over.

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