THE decision to axe respite care at Lincoln House in Crewe has been called in by Cheshire East Council's Labour group.

The council's cabinet made the final decision on Lincoln House – and Hollins View in Macclesfield – at its meeting on Tuesday, June 30.

Respite care for the elderly and those with dementia will be transferred to the private sector at the end of the year, according to the cabinet report, which was backed in a unanimous vote by the cabinet That has now been called in by the Labour group, who have demanded a review of the decision.

A spokesman for Cheshire East Council: “Cheshire East Council can confirm that the application for ‘call in’ in relation to the cabinet decision regarding residential carer respite has been accepted.

“This ‘call in’ will be discussed at a future meeting of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee.”

The next meeting of this committee is scheduled for Friday, August 7, and the agenda for this meeting will be published one week prior to this date.

The council spokesman added: “Until outstanding matters are considered by overview and scrutiny, the council is not able to answer detailed questions about the provision of residential carer respite in the Borough over and above those that we have already addressed in media statements and reports to cabinet.

“But we do reiterate that we take the matter of adult social care and carer support services in Cheshire East extremely seriously and will continue to ensure that our residents have access to the support that they need.”

Last year four petitions were launched in a bid to save both homes, with almost 1,400 signing the petition in Crewe, which was raised by Cllr Dorothy Flude.

This caused the council to make a U-turn and offer a 12-month extension for both homes until December 2015.

Now, Cheshire East Council is proposing that residential carer respite provision will cease to be provided at the Hollins View and Lincoln House sites as of December 31, 2015.

Among other reasons, the Labour group argue the decision will cause a shortfall in bed vacancies and a reduced service for east Cheshire residents.

Cllr Damian Bailey, Labour councillor for Crewe St Barnabas ward, said: “The Conservatives say they are not making cuts – just innovating services.

“Under the Conservatives in Cheshire East only those who are considered ‘critical and substantial’ are getting a service and the council refuses to pay more than £376.00 per week for a placement in a care home.

“The Conservatives have innovated services to the bone.”