The family of a 96-year-old woman living in a elderly people's home today told of their fears over it being leased out as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

Poplars in Walton is one of ten Essex County Council-run homes to be leased out as going concerns.

Another 19 are to be retained, two closed, three changed to another use and two either retained and refurbished or leased out under proposals to be finally decided on November 10.

But Roy Parrott, 71, and wife, Marie, of Page Road, Clacton, are far from happy with the arrangements.

Mr Parrott said: "My mother-in-law Grace Stodel has just turned 96 and we have been 110 per cent happy with the care she has got from the staff at Poplars.

"But whatever assurances that have been given over the future, we fear that changes will take place eventually which could change things for the worse."

Mr Parrott said that once a firm took over the lease and the county council did not have the same level of control over the home, he could not have the same confidence in the quality of care - especially if staff left.

He said: "It is a wonderful home as it is and we don't want anything to change. My mother-in-law is unable to tell us what care she gets so we have to monitor it ourselves and this will mean extra trips over and a great deal of worry and concern for us."

Mr Parrott said he was writing to Prime Minister Tony Blair and Harwich MP Ivan Henderson about the situation.

"The council is changing a decision it made less than 12 months ago which was then taken to save all the homes and for a saving of just over £1 million," he said.

"I am sure that can be saved in other areas rather than from old people who have served their country and gone through two world wars. They have paid their taxes all their lives and deserve better than this in their final years."

Staff concern over future

A worker at a Clacton care home which has been saved has said staff are still concerned about their futures.

Essex County Council announced last week that it would not be selling off or closing Beaumont Hall. However, there is a chance it could still be leased, which has prompted fears among staff.

One care worker, who asked not to be named, told the Gazette that staff still thought the home would eventually be sold off.

"I think they are doing it slowly to save the public outcry of last time."

The home needs about £700,000 spent on it to bring it up to the required standard. County councillor Roy Smith (Lab, Clacton West) said a feasibility study would take place to see whether to refurbish it or lease it as a going concern.

However, the care worker said they doubted if any private firm would be interested in leasing a building which needed so much work.

And they said if it was leased then employees' contracts could be changed. The worker also criticised councillors for changing their minds over the home.

"If the councillors can't make up their minds how can we trust them that what they are saying is true?

"It's all political point scoring, and at the end of the day it's the old people who are really suffering."

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