A LEADING county councillor today blasted bosses at County Hall over plans to spend nearly £1million transforming a restaurant into a new office suite.

The news comes as Lancashire County Council plans to shut 35 care homes, including 19 in East Lancashire, because it can't afford a £14.5million repair bill.

Coun Council David Whipp is furious at the proposal, but county council leader Hazel Harding said the authority currently paid £160,000 a year to subsidise the restaurant -- which only serves 11 meals a day.

Coun Whipp said: "How can the cabinet justify spending so much money on creating what is effectively a penthouse suite of offices for staff, when we have these problems with our care homes? "So little has been allocated to care homes, it is no wonder they are in such a bad state. The restaurant and disco room was only redecorated last year. That is hardly prudent.

"It isn't the only thing, either. We spend £160,000 subsidising the current restaurant, the budget for entertaining visitors has doubled in two years to £202,000 and so has the members' transport allowance. Perhaps if the cabinet tried travelling second class people might believe them when they say there is no money."

Coun Harding, leader of the county council, said: "The county restaurant used to be an excellent facility which would serve three-course meals every day. Lifestyles change and now, on average, just 11 meals are served there every day.

"At the same time, there is an ever-growing demand for office space. By changing the use of the restaurant we can provide new office space for 60 people without having to buy new premises. It also means staff can move in and work in the same building with colleagues they need to be in regular contact with. It is the sensible way forward. We will continue to provide places for staff to meet and eat, we don't want them to always eat at their desks, but we understand habits have changed."

The row broke out after it was revealed £200,000 has been allocated to repair care homes over the next 12 months by Lancashire County Council while bosses want to spend £933,000 on turning the restaurant and disco room into office space for 60 people.

The budget was settled after the Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed the reasons behind the £14.5million repair bill to bring the county's 48 residential homes up to scratch. The county council wants to close 35 homes -- including 19 in East Lancashire -- and keep just one in each borough open.

Many of the homes earmarked for closure need major repairs, including new fire alarms, replacements for faulty lifts and, in one case, asbesto lagging removed. Most need new windows and doors while virtually all need redecorating. The money saved by closing the homes and placing many elderley people into private sector accommodation will be used to improve home help and other specialist services.