Labour activists have applied to Norwich City Council for two care homes in the city to be declared as assets of community value.

The homes - Ellacombe in Ella Road, Thorpe Hamlet and Bishop Herbert House, in Globe Place, off Vauxhall Street, Norwich - are owned by Norfolk County Council and are run by the council's company Norse Care.

But the Conservative-controlled council has agreed an in-principle deal to sell Norse Care and 20 care homes, including those two, to private company Stow Healthcare Group.

The council has said staff and the people living in the homes will be transferred to the new provider and the deal is the best way to get investment in the homes.

But critics say the council, due to be abolished and replaced as part of a shake-up of all Norfolk's local authorities, should not be making such a decision in the authority's final months.

If asset status is secured, community-led groups would be given six months to put forward bids to take on buildings.

Labour say that could delay the council's planned sale and mean the final say over the sales could rest with a future authority, which may choose not to sell them.

Activists Lisa Alston and Jane Overhill have put forward the applications for Bishop Herbert, which cares for people with disabilities and Ellacombe, which provides care for older people.

Ms Alston, who is standing for Town Close ward in May's County Hall elections, said: "This is a call to action to prevent the sell off and find a better solution.

"Although we only need 21 registered voters to make the application I am inviting all those who oppose the sell off to sign in support of my application to protect Bishop Herbert as an asset of community value."

Jane Overhill at Ellacombe (Image: Labour Party)

Jane Overhill, who will stand in Thorpe Hamlet division, said: "Ellacombe and the people who live there are part of the community in Thorpe Hamlet and many residents have a personal connection to the home. I cannot see how it is surplus to requirements."

Andrew Jamieson, Norfolk County Council's deputy leader (Image: Denise Bradley)

Andrew Jamieson, the council's deputy leader has said it was "wholly reasonable" to use the ending of Norse Care's contract to consider other ways of providing quality care to residents.

© Norwich Evening News