A HOME for the elderly with a record of substandard care will close at the end of May.

Waltham Forest Council's cabinet has unanimously agreed to close Edith Pearson Lodge, in Robinya Crescent, Leyton. The site will be sold off to raise money for new adult care facilities.

Liz Phillips, cabinet member for health, adult and older people said consultation with staff, residents and their families showed an unusually high level of support for the closure.

The council's cross-party scrutiny panel also endorsed the closure, but emphasised the need to make the transition to new homes as smooth as possible for residents.

There are enough vacancies in the borough for all staff at Edith Pearson Lodge to be moved to other council-run care homes.

A report considered by cabinet before they took the decision said the home was the best candidate for closure because its building was out-dated, and the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) has identified persistant care problems.

It also noted that the Edith Pearson Lodge site had the good potential for development.

In June last year CSCI said some residents were being neglected due to under-staffing, did not receive the correct medication and were badly treated by untrained agency staff.

The closure is part of the council's Residential Care Homes Reprovision Project (RCHRP), which aims to commission modern care facilities for the borough's older people.

Cllr Phillips said: "Waltham Forest Council is dedicated to providing the highest standards of care to our borough's older people.

"The sale of Edith Pearson Lodge will ensure that the council can begin working towards providing modern care facilities that will benefit our older people in years to come."