What budget plans mean for under-threat Fylde and Wyre care homes and day centres

The Milbanke care home and day centre in Kirkham and Thornton House residential home and neighbouring Teal House day centre in Thornton-Cleveleys – were amongst 10 county council-run services placed under review back in October after the authority warned that the buildings they occupy were in “significantly poor condition”.

The prospect that the premises could ultimately close drew concern from residents, users and their families – and prompted uproar from opposition politicians.

The Reform UK-run authority launched a public consultation, stressing that no conclusions had been reached about any of the establishments as petitions to ‘save’ some of them attracted thousands of signatures. Teal House is already shut after closing its doors almost six years ago at the onset of the pandemic, although the closure is still officially deemed as temporary.

County council leader Stephen Atkinson says the fact that the estimated £4m in cost savings that would come from closing all 10 facilities across Lancashire has not been included in the authority’s draft budget for 2026/27 proved that the consultation process was genuine – and not about money alone.

However, opposition members have condemned the ongoing uncertainty over the future of the services – and called for cash to be invested in order to upgrade them and guarantee their survival.

A final decision had been due to be taken by cabinet members next month, but after the consultation period ended shortly before Christmas, the authority said it needed more time to properly consider the 1,600 responses it had received. No firm date has been set for the rescheduled vote.

Speaking shortly before publication of the coming year’s financial plans earlier this week, County Cllr Atkinson said: “In this budget, there is no provision for making savings from closing care homes – we never said we’d close them.

“What we said we’d do is review them, because there are significant issues around…safety [and] around the building structures.

“But these care homes stay open in this budget as it is – although we haven’t made a decision yet.”

Asked by The Gazette why that was the case if the money was available to continue operating the sites, County Cllr Atkinson added: “It was never just about [the ongoing] finances – it was about the fact that these care homes have not been invested in for many years.

“The fabric of the buildings requires a lot of attention. We have one of them that requires improvement to be a safe space. This is about doing a better job for those residents and for the residents of Lancashire.

“[However], what the opposition did in saying that we’re going to close the care homes to save £4m and build houses on them is wrong. It has misled the public and frightened the residents – I’m appalled by them.”

The administration was previously criticised for setting out a timetable for the movement of residents from the care homes should closure ultimately be decided upon. The county council said plans had to be put in place so that any decision, when it came, could be implemented.

Responding to the budget proposal, Azhar Ali, the leader of the Progressive Lancashire official opposition group – made up of independents and Green Party councillors – accused Reform of having “dug themselves a big hole” and advised them to “stop digging”.

“If they had an ounce of decency, the Reform leadership would have not only made the decision on the budget, but would have put in [additional money] to update and modernise our day centers and care homes.

“Opposition groups are working together on putting an investment plan together in our [alternative] budget plans, which will come out in a couple of weeks. Reform haven’t made any pledges to invest in [the buildings],” said County Cllr Ali.

As The Gazette revealed last month, a block put on new admissions to the care homes under review was lifted after the delay to the final decision was announced.