CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to keep fighting a council’s decision to close its last five old people’s homes.

Labour-run Durham County Council’s cabinet decided in April to shut homes in Durham City, Peterlee, Chester-le-Street, Stanhope and Ferryhill that had about 40 residents and 170 workers.

The move was opposed by about half the people consulted but the council said it had to save £220m and the homes were not “value for money”.

More than 20 protestors carrying placards and banners stood on the steps of the council’s headquarters in Durham City today (Wednesday, May 21) as councillors arrived for their annual meeting.

Relatives of residents of Newtown House, Stanhope, were joined by members of the Durham People’s Assembly in the second homes closure protest in a week.

Joy Urwin, of Eastgate, Weardale, said campaigners were concerned that the cabinet’s decision was not being ratified by the full council, which she said was undemocratic.

“We were led to believe that it was going to be ratified until after April 30, which was the cut-off date for it being called in by overview and scrutiny committee.

“By the time we were told it wasn’t going to be ratified, it was too late.

“The feedback we have had is that one of the pre-meetings where it was discussed was very long, bad-tempered and fiery, with lots of opposition.

“I think that is why they don’t want it to go to full council because that would happen in front of the public.”

The protestors plan to attend the June full council meeting and table questions to the cabinet and leader Simon Henig.

“We are not going to give in, we are not going to say “oh well, the decision’s been made, that’s it”. We will keep fighting,”said Mrs Urwin.

Rachael Shimmin, the councils corporate director of children and adult services, said: “The decision made by cabinet does not require ratification by full council.

“The council’s overview and scrutiny committee had until April 30 to call the decision in but this did not happen and therefore the decision made by cabinet can be implemented in accordance with the council’s constitution.”