Council still expecting to sell 20 care homes
BBC/Reform UK/Scott HusseyA controversial plan to sell off 20 council care homes is still expected to go ahead, following Reform UK's takeover of the authority.
In January, Norfolk County Council agreed a sale to American-owned care provider Stow Healthcare, despite heavy criticism from most opposition parties.
The deal was expected to be completed by the end of July, but since it was agreed control of the authority has switched from the Conservatives to Reform.
The council has now extended a contract so it has until January to complete "due diligence" on the agreement – but opposition groups say it should be called off.
Last year the council began a search for private providers to take on its homes as it said the properties needed external investment in order to be modernised.
It also sought to sell off the private care firm it owns, Norse Care, which runs services in the homes.
The council appeared to be aiming to complete a deal with Stow Healthcare by the end of March – and then by the end of July, when Norse Care's contract was due to end.
However, the sale has stalled again. The Reform-run council has made provision for it to not be completed until January, by extending Norse Care's contract.
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Independent councillor Alexandra Kemp said the time should be used to instead look at how the council could retain and invest in the homes itself.
"If they're sold off, it could result in fees escalating and becoming very, very unaffordable for residents - and for the county council when it has to place people into social care," she explained.
The decision to extend the contract was made by Scott Hussey, the cabinet member for adult social care, with no public discussion held.
"We haven't had sight of any of the content of the contract, we don't know what the issues are surrounding the delay," said Green group leader Maxine Webb, who opposes the sale.
"We want to be able to scrutinise decisions and hold people to account when they need to be held to account, but we're simply not being able to do that in this case."
Paul Moseley/BBCLiberal Democrat group leader Brian Watkins said he was also concerned about the number of decisions "made behind closed doors".
"It's about people's lives and their concern about what the future might hold - the longer this drags on, the more concerned I get," he added.
When approached, Scott Hussey referred the BBC to the council's press office.
A spokesman for the council confirmed Norse Care's contract had been extended.
"We want to minimise any disruption to individuals and ensure that all residents living in these care homes continue to receive the care they need," he added.
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