NEXT week at Crook Civic Centre the fate of a number of elderly people will, once again, be in the hands of Durham County Council.

We have heard the same recycled platitudes as we heard before the last bunch of care homes were closed, such as the cost of council-run homes as opposed to the private sector or how millions would have to be spent to bring the homes up to date.

One particular quote from Rachael Shimmin, the council’s corporate director of children and adult services, stuck in my mind (Echo, Apr 9).

She said: “It is acknowledged that there is some risk in moving frail elderly people which can never be completely eliminated.

Research suggests that the risks can be minimised and managed.”

Does the value of an elderly person’s life and well-being boil down to risk management in her eyes?

Councillors who vote for closure should be ashamed, but I doubt they will be because they can still pick up their expenses, paid for by us.

I heard Durham County Council recently received a national award, I can’t think what for.

Ann Dryden, Newton Aycliffe