Campaigners have lost their battle to save the last council-run care home in Southampton.

A special meeting of the overview and scrutiny management committee was held last night after the decision to close Holcroft House was "called in" by two opposition councillors.

But the committee decided not to recommend the Labour-run authority to think again, which means the residents will have to move out.

The 34-place care home at Holcroft Road in Thornhill provides long and short-term care for people with dementia.

As reported in the Daily Echo, a proposal to shut the 60-year-old facility - said to need fire safety work costing £4.5m - was approved by the council's ruling cabinet last month.

One of the people who asked for the decision to be called in was Jeremy Moulton, deputy leader of the Conservative group. 

Speaking at the start of the committee meeting he criticised the grounds on which Labour members had agreed to axe Holcroft House.

He said: "The report was extremely thin, lacking key information. There are numerous options that have not been touched on. I still don't think I've got all the information I need in front of me."

Much of the subsequent debate centred on fire safety issues identified at the home and how much of the work was actually necessary.

Cllr Moulton said: "This building can remain open legally and still operate as a care home without some of the intrusive works the council says are required."

But  Cllr Lorna Fielker, deputy leader of the authority, said the decision to close Holcroft House was taken in the best interests of the residents.

"It's much better to move people once than have them live in a building site for a very long time," she said.

Cllr Moulton wanted to know if the council had considered moving them out temporarily, enabling the work to be carried out "in a few weeks".

Cllr Fielker replied: "That was considered and rejected. It would involve two moves for residents and we don't feel that would be appropriate."

Members of the public who spoke at the two-hour meeting included Ruth Goldsworthy, whose 85-year-old father has already left Holcroft House.

Fighting back tears she said he was suffering from "transfer trauma", adding: "This is horrendous what you are doing to us. He's a broken man. I think he's going to give up."

Holcroft House supporter Linda Hayes added: "Lorna Fielker, you should be ashamed of yourself. You are not listening to the families."

Ms Hayes acknowledged that the council had to spend money wisely but accused it of "picking" on vulnerable people. She told the committee: "They have lived there for a long time. This is their home."

Cllr Moulton, supported by fellow campaigner Cllr Steven Galton, said the authority should be recommended to reconsider its decision.

But Labour member Darren Paffey replied: "It would be political gameplaying to kick this further down the road."