Six care homes sold to consortium

The sale of six Leicestershire county council care homes has been agreed.

The chosen bidders, Warwickshire Care Services and Housing Solutions Group, will take over the residential homes on a not-for-profit basis.

The sale provoked strong local opposition and a 10,000-signature petition was gathered by campaigners.

But the sale of the homes in Barwell, Thurmaston, Loughborough, Melton, Kirby Muxloe and Lutterworth will save £650,000 a year, officials said.

'Staff choice'

The six homes - Catherine Dalley House in Melton, Hadrian House in Thurmaston, Huntingdon Court in Loughborough, Harvey House in Barwell, Kirby House in Kirby Muxloe and Woodmarket House in Lutterworth - are being sold as "going concerns" and existing residents and staff will remain there.

Also included in the deal is the redevelopment of the Melton Silverdale hostel site, a learning disability hostel due to close in May.

County councillor David Sprason said he was confident the council had made the right choice.

"It is good for the residents, good for the staff, good for the council taxpayers and good for the future of care services in Leicestershire.

"We have included staff in the negotiations and these are their preferred providers as well - of all the companies that bid these are their choice."