Thousands back bid to save two Wolverhampton care homes

Council bosses will now consider the petition ahead of their decision next week on whether to accept proposals to close Merry Hill House and Nelson Mandela House, as well as removing day-care services from Woden Resource Centre in Wednesfield.

The petition was introduced at a full council meeting by Adrian Turner from Unison.

He said: "If you had wanted more signatures, we could have got more signatures.

"There is no creative thinking in these proposals, it is quite the opposite.

"Do the service users want these proposals? No. Do the staff want these proposals? No. Do the public of Wolverhampton want these proposals? No.

"It is time to listen to the people of Wolverhampton."

In response, Councillor Elias Mattu, cabinet member for adults, said the cuts and closures were absolutely necessary but would not put any people in danger.

He said: "Can I remind the council that no decision will be made tonight. We are reading the report and the final decision will be taken on October 11 by the cabinet.

"In the petition itself it says it is concerned that the care in the independent sector won't be able to do as good a job. But as we have said previously, most of the care in the city is always run by the independent sector.

"We have to change the way we provide care, we have no other option. But we will always try to protect the most vulnerable in our society, regardless of the council's financial position."

The plans to close Merry Hill House in Langley Road, Merry Hill, and Nelson Mandela House in Whitburn Close, Pendeford, and have their services picked up by outside providers are part of a proposal to save the council £2.6 million.

Other councillors to speak on the topic at the meeting on Wednesday night including Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for the environment.

He said: "Before any decision is made next week we should think and look at any alternatives to make sure no one is placed at risk.

"The council need to make sure that no one will be put out into the snow as we have seen before five years ago."

Councillor Evans's comments were met with a shout of 'well said!' from the packed public gallery.