Campaigners once again plan to lobby Derbyshire County Council over proposals to close seven care homes for the elderly.

Trade union leaders and members of the public will gather outside of County Hall, in Matlock, on Wednesday (2 February) to protest about the authority’s proposal to close the homes, rather than spend the £27 million it claims is needed to bring them up to an acceptable standard.

The demonstration will take place at 1.30pm, shortly before the start of the full council meeting at 2pm.

At the same time, a demonstration will also be held by campaigners from the Derbyshire Pensioners Action Group and Divest Derbyshire over the council’s investment of pension funds in fossil fuels.