Warrington Borough Council has admitted plans to make cuts to care home budgets were made using ‘limited’ information.
The council is proposing to reduce payments to care and residential homes by 14.5 per cent.
During a meeting at Heathercroft Care Home, Longbarn Lane, Woolston on Friday, relatives and staff were told that a consultation with 38 providers in the town had resulted in ‘gaps’ in information.
Only 18 responded, according to Frank Pacey, service manager for contracts and procurement at the council.
He said: “Warrington Borough Council, like all local authorities, is facing times of real financial challenge.
“We undertook an initial information-gathering exercise when we went to providers and asked how they delivered their services.
“There was a limited response.
“I am not sat here saying the consultation was robust and comprehensive.
“We recognise there are gaps and that in an ideal world we would have had more information.”
Mr Pacey said maintaining a good quality of care was the council’s priority.
He added that some of the providers had been reluctant to give financial details for a more detailed consultation.
Employees at the care home for dementia patients are concerned that jobs will be lost.
Robert Evans, financial director of Ashberry Healthcare Ltd which owns the home, accused the council of manipulating the consultation to suit austerity measures.
He claims that the cost of care per person is around £150 more than would be provided if the budget cuts are enforced.
“The information collected by Warrington is not accurate,” said Mr Evans.
“This careful manipulation gave the opportunity to set lower fees that aren’t accurate, and that’s the whole problem.”
He added that a smaller budget would see less money invested into homes owned by Ashberry Healthcare Ltd.
Warrington Borough Council awards contracts to care and residential homes in the town paying them to provide various levels of care for pensioners depending on their needs.
That contract ends in 18 months with the Town Hall looking to cut costs.
A final decision will be made by the executive board.
