Today the council anounced that they will be running a public consultation on the future of the Lilacs and Scotter House care homes. The consultation will end on May 3rd. The council claim that there has been a reduction in the number of people requiring short stay residential care, and that with the introduction of personal budgets for people to spend as they wish, that the numbers would not be expected to increase. In a statement on their web site, NLC say "If The Lilacs and Scotter House were to stay open, then the budget pressure would mean that services to vulnerable people could not be sustained and other services would need to be reduced." NLC propose to Decommission The Lilacs and provide intermediate care and re-ablement services at De Lacy House in Winterton. Decommission Scotter House and through personalisation and use of personal budgets, allow service users and their families to decide what they would like to do to meet their needs. This news comes on the day that a meeting is being organised by Unison to fight the closure. Any one wishing to take place in the public consultation and to object to the removal of these services can do so online using the following links: Scotter House The Lilacs Alternatively, forms can be obtained from, and returned to Julia Matthews, The Angel, Market Place, Brigg, North Lincolnshire, DN20 8LD, email julia.matthews@northlincs.gov.uk. To be included forms must be returned by Tuesday 3 May 2011. We suggest that any readers wanting to express their opinions do so online via the council's Current consultations page. If you would like more information about the consultation, then you can ring Julia Matthews on 01724 298438. Cllr Pauline Carlile, cabinet member for adult social care at North Lincolnshire Council, said: "Staying the same is not an option. The stark reality is that due to the harsh cuts, we must look at the future of the homes. This means we either keep the homes open but reduce essential services, or we look at alternative ways we can maintain services to the elderly and vulnerable. "But before we decide, I'm keen to find out what people think. The website and consultation documents explain the situation we are faced with and the options available. "I'd like you to consider the facts given to you and if need pop along to the consultation event in April to help you make your mind up. "I'm interested in the views of not just people in the social care sector and those directly affected, but those who potentially at some point in the future may use these services. What do they think? "Currently it costs taxpayers �1,873 per person per week to stay at Scotter House. Whereas the average cost of a bed in the private sector in a similar setting is just �440 per week. Do you think this is value for money or could services be provided better in a different way? "You have until 3 May to tell us what you think. Then a report will go to Cabinet setting out the findings of the consultation and a decision will then be made on the future of The Lilacs and Scotter House."