Plans to axe Care Homes Blasted

1.53.43am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 5th Sep 2007

Jason Zadrozny at one of the Care Homes on Labour's closure list

THE leader of Ashfield District Council says he is 'absolutely livid' about a move to axe eight care homes and will fight against it.

Angry Coun Jason Zadrozny has started an on-line petition against proposals to shut the homes - which moved a step closer after approval from a cabinet committee on Monday.

Bosses at Nottinghamshire County Council have announced plans to close Forest Town's Daleside, Kirkby's Kirklands, Sutton's Ashcroft and Boughton's Bishops Court care homes - which would leave 141 elderly residents needing new homes.

Coun Zadrozny, who is also a county councillor, says he and other Liberal Democrats across Mansfield and Ashfield were against the move and the petition has already been signed by more than 200 residents.

"This will hit the most vulnerable people the worst and it is really not well thought-out," he said.

"I hope we can change their minds. I can't really see the rationale behind it except money.

"It is a sad state of affairs for a Labour council to be practising. I wouldn't rule out standing in front of a bulldozer - if we can get a significant amount of public support I hope we can stop it."

Coun Zadrozny says the move could even cause the early deaths of some elderly people who could not cope with a move.

To help save the Care Homes please sign the petiton today by visiting www.jasonz.org.uk/petitions