FEELINGS were running high this week as the council's decision to close Brentford's care home, John Aird House was investigated by Hounslow's Scrutiny and Overview Committee, where for the second time in as many weeks, attendant councillors faced a wave of protestors with placards.

Before the meeting protestors made their views plain, as they stood outside Hounslow's Civic Centre holding placards with slogans and chanting don't get old in Hounslow' and Save John Aird House' as councillors arrived for the meeting.

Deborah Read, whose 81 year old mother lives in the home said: My mum has been happy and settled here, the reasons the council are giving for closure are just not good enough. I believe some people could die as a result of the move. My mum has already deteriorated with this hanging over her. I will fight this to the very end.''

Yvonne Hossack, the lawyer fighting on behalf of the residents, who was angry at being refused permission to speak at the meeting said: I'm a specialist in this field, I brought some evidence to distribute but couldn't even do that.

In previous cases, refusal to allow the advocate to speak to the committee has been found to be in breach of the Human Rights Act. The council is elected by the people to represent them and they should want all the information they can get. It is sad when that is offered but refused.''

Defending her decision the Committee's Chair, Cllr Lamey said: This is an information gathering session, it will not finish tonight. I want the councillors to be able to ask all the questions they need. ''

Many of the committee were extremely concerned about the potential impact of the closure on the residents, claiming that the Executive, who have already made the decision to close the home, were not taking the threat to the residents' lives seriously.

They were also concerned that most residents and their families were very happy with the home and wanted the decision postponed pending independent reports.

Several members questioned the reasoning of the closure given that it had been universally acknowledged that the home now met the basic targets of the National Care Standards.

One report, conducted in January by the National Care Standards Commission, still had not been published. Cllr Lamey, criticised the Commission: It is appalling that the report is not back within 3 months. They may be an independent body, but this is a sensitive issue and we really question their commitment.''

In the light of these concerns, Cllr Edwards said, If the council were confident enough to make the decision, then it should be able to stand up to outside scrutiny but there must be choice for residential care in Brentford.''

He added that he was determined to see the decline in elderly provision arrested' and hoped the Executive would change their minds.''

Councillor Lal, defending the Executive's decision, said it had been made given the information available at the time and that the closure was part of a move by the council to accommodate the changing needs of the elderly within the borough.

He insisted that This is not about making cuts or saving money. It's about redistributing resources to meet future demand. Any money saved will be spent on other care services.''

The meeting was adjourned until next Monday, April 28th, pending further independent evidence and discussion but was widely accepted to have been a good meeting by the protestors.

Cllr Phil Andrews said afterwards, I have been very encouraged by the seriousness of the discussion and surprised by the lack of argument from Cllr Lal. I feel that if the Scrutiny Panel can see through the inadequacies of the plan, it is of concern that the Executive can't. The Scrutiny Committee drove a coach and horses through the John Aird's case tonight.''

The demonstration was also filmed by Films of Record who plan to screen a report of the campaign later in the year, hosted by the famous investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre. Joanna Service, Associate Producer for the programme said, John Aird House is a prime example of the issue of home closures which seem to be very prevalent. We want to know why and raise awareness of this issue.''