LEADING councillors are being asked to reconsider their decision to close a Chingford care home for the elderly.

The Conservative group has put forward a motion calling on the cabinet to revise its plans to axe Walton House in Chingford Mount Road, which will be debated at a full council meeting tomorrow (Thursday).

It also calls for the cabinet to take into proper account recommendations about the council's provision of care for the elderly by the Health, Adult, and Older Persons Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

The cabinet decided to close Walton House last month despite a campaign to keep it open led by Jean James Shaw.

Ms Shaw, whose mother lives at the home, handed over a petition against the closure with 3,797 signatures.

The cabinet says it decided to axe Walton House because it could not be registered for dementia care as it does not have enough space.

The home will close in March and the council plans to use the money saved by axing it, along with cash from closing five other care homes, to create two 90-bed "super" homes, but these will not open until at least 2011.

This means residents will be forced to relocate temporarily and may have to move again when the new facilities open.