TODAY is the last day that views are being sought on plans to axe the final two state-funded care homes in the city.

Southampton City Council has proposed to close Glen Lee in Bitterne, and Holcroft House in Thornhill in a bid to save cash.

Locals have until midnight to have their say, by visiting: www.southampton.gov.uk/council-democracy/have-your-say/budget-2019-2021/future-of-residential-care-homes/

The plans are part of the authority’s new budget, which is set to be signed off in February.

As reported, the authority has proposed to close the homes, which it claims will save it £1.33 million 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.

In protest of the plans, unions Unite and Unison have taken protested in the city, picketed in the streets, and also threatened to send its council-employed members on strike.

A petition signed by more than 1,500 people was also handed in to demand that the plans be taken off the budget proposals.

But the council has not budged from its decision, citing that civic chiefs will take into account issues raised as part of the consultation responses.

Speaking in November, leader Christopher Hammond confirmed that Labour-run council “would listen to and look at the responses” from the consultation before making a decision.

At the same Full Council meeting, opposition members – from both the Conservative party and independent councillors, also claimed the authority had “pre-determined” the decision, as they are currently refusing to take on any more residents at the two homes.

However, adult care chief Councillor Lorna Fielker disputed this, saying: “We believe that, during the consultation, it would be wrong to take in more people at the two homes.”