ST HELENS Council is to retain its elderly persons homes after having fully investigated the options available within the 'not for profit' sector.

Last year the authority agreed to look at the option of transferring five homes into the 'not for profit' sector to secure value for money in the light of £1.2 million needed for renovation works to the homes over the next 20 years.

But following an exhaustive programme of consultation with residents, trade unions and staff, members of the Social Services Committee decided not to pursue the proposals. This preceded a detailed evaluation of first-stage tenders from companies who specialised in the non profit-making sector.

Council leader Mike Doyle says: "Having studied all the evidence we have decided to retain control of our elderly persons homes and maintain the excellent services offered to them."

But he warned that this would be at a price as efficiency savings would have to be made to fund the service, as well as a major programme of improvements.

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