So we discover the future of Knoll House in Hove is still as uncertain as ever and that Brighton and Hove City Council has deferred a decision, yet again, until the November council meeting as to whether or not the residential and respite units will close.

Hardly surprising, really, when one realises at the October meeting there are already enough contentious issues for the council to deal with, not least the local waste plan, an issue that should keep the council in the headlines for weeks to come.

By November, it will have been a whole year since staff were aware of the possibility of residential services closing, in which time they have continued to put the residents and service-users first and have been expected (and have admirably done so) to continue providing the first-class care Knoll House is known for.

A decision about the future for staff will come just before the Christmas period begins. They will, of course, provide a happy, warm and festive time for those in their care but who looks after them? Certainly not the leadership of the council.

When strategic director of social care and health Allan Bowman states there is a crisis because of the falling number of residential placements for the elderly and when bed blocking in the hospitals is a serious problem because of the lack of residential beds, why, oh why, is the council considering closure of 22 beds in a successful public-sector residential home? It defies understanding unless it's about balancing the books rather than care of the elderly.

There will be a lobby of the council this Thursday, from 4pm, outside Brighton Town Hall, organised by those who wish to see good public services maintained and financed by this council. Anyone interested in letting the council know how they feel is welcome.

-Sue Beatty, Unison, Brighton and Hove