ONE of Southampton’s top unions says it is “pleased” with a change of heart by civic chiefs, who announced that it was to partially backtrack on plans to close the city’s last two authority-run care homes.

Claire Ransom, deputy branch secretary at Unison Southampton, spoke after she and her fellow campaigners demanded proposals to shut Glen Lee in Bitterne and Holcroft House in Thornhill be thrown out.

Along with union Unite, they even threatened strike action from authority-employed staff if the closures went ahead.

But now the council has recommended to save Holcroft.

It claims the change to its original ‘preferred option’ came after a large public response to its consultation, which closed last month. However, it has still proposed to shut Glen Lee, which civic chiefs say will save almost £1 million a year.

Ms Ransom, who has been part of a number of marches and demonstrations in a bid to save the homes, said: “Unison, Unite, staff, residents, relatives of residents and the local community have all taken an active part in responding the council’s public consultation and we are pleased to see that the council has revised its position in response to the feedback that was received.

“Both trade unions are currently in the process of consulting their members about the council’s new recommendations on the future of the homes and will respond the council’s decision on the basis of what our members want.”

Fellow union Unite has refused to reveal its position before discussions with members take place.

Southampton branch secretary Mark Wood said: “We are aware of the city council’s proposals which include a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies for all staff and a place in the remaining care home for all current permanent residents. “We are consulting members at both homes, so we have yet to formulate a joint union position.”

A decision – which forms part of the authority’s budget proposals – will be made by civic chiefs at the city council’s full council meeting next Wednesday, February 20.

As reported, the council yesterday said that the move to shut just one of the homes will “minimise the impact on staff”.

Residents at the axed Glen Lee site will be given the option to move to Holcroft House, it added.

City council adult care boss Lorna Fielker said that the closure was down to the facilities no longer meeting modern standards.

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith said he was “relieved” to hear the new proposed decision, but questioned the way in which the process was handled.