Fylde’s MP, Andrew Snowden, has welcomed the decision by Lancashire County Council to scrap plans that put Milbanke Care Home and Day Centre in Kirkham under threat of closure following months of sustained public pressure and a clear message from the local community.
The County Council has now confirmed that eight care homes, including Milbanke, will no longer face closure after families, residents, staff and local representatives spoke out against proposals that caused widespread concern and uncertainty.
Andrew Snowden said:
“This is the right outcome, and it has happened because the people of Kirkham stood up and made it very clear that Reform’s plans which could have closed these care homes was wrong. Milbanke was put under threat, families were alarmed by talk of closure, and staff were left worrying about the future. That was unacceptable.”
Andrew said the strength of feeling in Kirkham was also made very clear at the recent town council by elections, where voters backed local Conservative candidates who were leading the campaign to protect Milbanke.
“The by elections in Kirkham sent a very clear message. Residents voted for local Conservatives who were standing up for Milbanke and demanding it stay open. That message could not be ignored, and today we see the result.”
Milbanke was identified as part of a wider county review of care homes and day centres, with families told the home faced ‘accelerated reprovision’. Andrew Snowden raised concerns locally and nationally, including in Westminster with the Minister for Care, alongside other Lancashire MPs affected by the proposals.
Councillor Adam Brierley, recently elected to Kirkham Town Council, thanked residents for their support.
Cllr Adam Brierley said:
“This is a huge relief for residents, families and staff, and it shows the power of local people standing together. Kirkham made its voice heard, backed candidates who were prepared to fight for Milbanke, and Reform have now backed down and scrapped their closure plans. I want to thank everyone who supported our campaign to keep Milbanke open.”
