THE closure of a local authority's residential homes has moved a step nearer reality.
A Darlington Borough Council cabinet meeting supported supported the recommendation of officers that all its residential homes should close.
A final decision will not be taken until the proposals go before the ratification committee of the council on September 5.
The authority says the closures are necessary because none of the homes would meet new Government guidelines on residential homes.
Legislation coming into force in April 2002 demands that local authority homes either modernise or close.
It was estimated that bringing the homes up to standard would cost the Darlington council £4.5m, which it says it cannot afford.
Relatives of people in the local authority homes, and the trade unions protecting the interests of care home staff, say the council is being too hasty, because the Government has not finalised the standards and, even after this, they expect there will be a transitional period to allow councils to carry out the necessary work.
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