COUNCILLORS in Teesdale want to have a greater input into the future of care services for elderly people in the dale.

At a meeting of Teesdale District Council's policy and resources committee yesterday, members said they wanted a more active role in Government schemes being implemented to improve services for elderly people.

Two of the schemes discussed at the meeting involved the futures of the Stoneleigh care home and the Richardson Hospital, in Barnard Castle.

Stoneleigh is one of 17 care homes which Durham County Council is to close as part of the Government's Investing in Services for Older People scheme.

The county council had initially planned to find a new site for the care home, but despite looking at seven sites in Barnard Castle, nowhere was deemed suitable.

Now the residents face being moved to alternative homes while the building is demolished and rebuilt.

Councillors were also told that the Dales Primary Care Trust is currently looking at ways of improving and upgrading the facilities and the role of the Richardson Hospital, although details of the plans have not yet been finalised.