A SOUTHAMPTON MP has called on the local council to scrap proposals to shut the last two authority-run care homes in the city, following union backlash.

Itchen member for parliament Royston Smith claims Southampton City Council wants to close Glen Lee in Bitterne, and Holcroft House in Thornhill, due its own “mismanagement”.

He has now called on the authority to look at other options.

Mr Smith said “It is clear that the Labour run council have not explored all options for Holcroft House and Glen Lee.

“Looking at the detail behind these proposals, it is obvious the council has failed to deal with the staffing issues at these homes for many years, and instead of trying to resolve these problems they are simply going to close them.

“The residents of these homes and their families deserve to be treated with respect and every effort should be made by the council to keep them open. The fact the council has mismanaged the homes should not be an excuse to close them.”

As reported, Southampton civic chiefs say shutting the homes would save £1,327,000 per year, which could then be used to focus on ‘Stay at Home Care’.

More than 70 jobs would be threatened if the plans were approved, although the council has promised to relocate staff to other areas of the service if the homes are closed.

The proposals are currently in a public consultation phase.

Councillor Lorna Fielker, adult care chief at Southampton City Council said: “We have recently launched a consultation about the future of Holcroft House and Glen Lee residential care homes.

“It’s really important that we hear the views of the public before any decisions are made – so we would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation before 16th January 2019, by either going on to the council website or picking up a paper copy from local libraries.

“The results of the consultation will be presented to cabinet in February 2019.”

This comes after protesters lined the streets outside Labour’s party conference in the city on Saturday.

Headed by union Unite, hundred of demonstrators took to the picket lines to fight the home closures.

To have your say, visit: www.southampton.gov.uk/council-democracy/have-your-say/budget-2019-2021/future-of-residential-care-homes/