Plans for the future of old people's homes in Essex have received a mixed reaction from campaigners and councillors.

Essex County Council has decided on a mixture of closures, leasing to the private sector and retaining control as a way of trimming millions of pounds from the county social services budget.

Homes in Witham and Braintree have been largely spared in the county council review which will be finalised by the end of the year after public consultation.

Park View, in Kings Chase, Witham, was one of the threatened homes but won a reprieve. Millard House, in Church Street, Bocking, also escaped and will stay under council control.

A final decision about Monken Hadley, Braintree - earmarked for closure - has still to be made.

Campaigner Phyllis Webb said pensioners' action groups would continue to fight the plans and would lobby Braintree MP Alan Hurst.

"We just want them to keep the care homes open," she said.

"Leasing care homes out is better than privatising them altogether, but we can't be too complacent. We have got to be on the ball to keep up, or we've had it."

In Maldon, Longfield residential home, Fambridge Close, will be kept under county council control but Brewster House, Oak Road, Heybridge, will be leased to the independent sector.

Bryan Harker, a Conservative Maldon district councillor, said: "I'd heard in the private sector the staff to residents ratio was much better and the cost to residents was lower.

"It's better for the residents but really at the end of the day they should have a say in who looks after them, which has been taken away from them."

Roy Pipe, chairman of Maldon District Council, said: "As far as Longfield is concerned I'm pleased it is staying as it is because the council does run it well and it's always been very successful and popular."

Tom Kelly, Conservative councillor for Maldon south, said: "I'm happy Longfield has been retained. If you take the overall picture it may assist in getting people out of hospital who really don't need to be there." Spains Lodge home in Chelmsford has been earmarked to be leased to the private sector.

Maurice Hurrell, Conservative spokesperson on Chelmsford Borough Council said: "We are deeply disturbed about the future of these old people's homes and are particularly concerned about Spains Lodge."

Okeley Home in Corporation Road, Chelmsford, has been retained by the county council.

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