The Adult Social Care and Communities Scrutiny Committee yesterday (July 20) rejected the 'call in' to reverse a decision to close four Gloucestershire care homes.

On June 22, the Conservative cabinet unanimously agreed to close Bohanam House in Gloucester, Orchard House in Bishops Cleeve, The Elms in Stonehouse and Westbury Court in Westbury-on-Severn, forcing more than 80 residents out of their care homes.

As part of the democratic process, the decision was 'called in' by six opposition councillors.

All proactive work to support residents to move to new accommodation was put on hold until members of the committee had heard the reasons for the 'call in' and evidence from Cllr Carole Allaway-Martin, cabinet member for adult social care commissioning. Where a resident asked the council to help them identify and move to a different location, this is said to have been supported.

Having heard the evidence, members of the committee could have either decided to refer the matter back to Cabinet for further consideration or endorse the original decision.

The committee was not convinced by the argument raised by the 'call in' and therefore rejected the 'call in', allowing cabinet's original decision to proceed.

Cllr Stephan Fifield, chair of the Scrutiny Committee said: "Cllr Allaway-Martin made a comprehensive statement to the committee, outlining how she made the decision she did, as well as answering over an hour of members' questions.

"With this evidence, the majority of the committee were not convinced by the argument that the decision-making process hadn't been followed and therefore dismissed the 'call in'."

Gloucestershire County Council said it will now begin to support residents to move to a new home or setting that can meet their care and support needs.