DOZENS of protesters gathered outside of Southampton’s Civic Centre as they fight proposed cuts to the city’s last two council-owned care homes.
Unions Unite and Unison led the demonstration, which took place before the city council’s Full Council meeting.
Southampton City Council has proposed to close the last two authority-owned homes in the city, which civic chiefs claim will save £1,327,000 per year. This cash, they add, 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. However, protesters say that no promise has been made to employees.
Currently about 75 elderly people, many who suffer from dementia, live in the two homes. The authority has said it will help those residents move to other locations – even picking up the private bill if necessary.
The proposals are currently in a public consultation phase.
It comes just weeks after protesters took part in a similar demonstration outside the city’s Labour conference, in which picketers sat in the road to voice their case.
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