The battle to stop the axe falling on three Southend old people's homes looks set to be lost.

Councillors are recommended to agree the closure of Blenheim, Balmoral and Friars homes to offset a £1.36 million deficit in this year's budget.

The effect on families

They will meet on Thursday night to discuss the plan, which will then be voted on at a special full council meeting in October.

Director of social services, Jane Held, said the move followed a full and frank public consultation exercise.

In the report to councillors, she tells how social services staff launched their own "buy out" plans to keep one Southend old people's home open.

The desperate workers approached senior council officials for more information to reprieve the unnamed care facility.

Eight letters were also received from potential investors, seeking to buy or lease one or more of the homes at risk.

Ms Held said: "As part of the consultation process, a number of letters were received from different private and independent organisations indicating interest in the homes.

"It was very clear from meetings held that the organisations currently wishing to talk further would expect significant market advantages from the council before they would progress matters further.

"Only one company to date has presented any realistic proposals to either lease the services or to purchase the services as going concerns."

Ms Held said residents and families had attended a series of public meetings and voiced their views through letters and phone calls.

She added: "Of the replies received, the majority have stated opposition to any homes closures, but have not commented or put forward any alternatives.

"There has been insufficient interest from the independent sector to justify delay for four to six months whilst market testing takes place, and the council can judge whether lease options or going concerns sales present a serious and viable alternative approach.

"The original rationale for recommending a closure programme has not changed as a result of the consultation.

"If anything, the financial position - as it is now better understood - reinforces the need for serious action during the next six months."

The effect on families

Families across Southend are facing up to the question of what will happen to their older relatives.

Southend Council has promised to do all it can to help find the elderly residents new homes. However, families will want a say in where they will be placed.

Many sons and daughters on behalf of their parents have already started to explore the options open to them. They are touring the private care homes in the town in the search for a place. Their criteria are a friendly atmosphere, a good standard of decoration and caring staff.

The location of the home is also vital. It needs to be close to relatives so visits can be easily made and in an area familiar to the pensioner

Many older people also want to stay with the friends they have made at their existing home. The council has said it cannot guarantee this will be done.

Families with older people who are particularly dependent and need special nursing must find a new home that is willing to provide all the help these people need.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.