LANDLORDS of Southern Cross care homes in Yorkshire – including five in Huddersfield – have missed the first deadline to name new operators, it has emerged.

Now a union representing the defunct company’s employees has urged the owners of the properties to “get their fingers out” and settle the future of the homes for the benefit for residents and staff.

General union the GMB has been told that landlords of the 64 Southern Cross care homes in the region have missed the first deadline that was set for them to take over the homes and appoint new operators.

August 1 was the date set for all landlords for the defunct firm’s 750 homes UK-wide to appoint new operators. The homes house 31,000 elderly and vulnerable residents and employ 42,500 staff.

The GMB said: “At a meeting on August 16, Southern Cross managers told GMB that they were unable to provide a list as some landlords had yet to appoint new operators and no definite deadline has been fixed.”

GMB said deadlines for the transfers had been set at September 30 for the first 250 homes and October 31 for the rest. When the process of transfer is complete, “Southern Cross will be wound down”.

But all landlords were expected to make their decision on their future operator by August 1.

The homes in Huddersfield are at Abbey Place Care Centre, Fartown; Alwoodleigh Care Centre, Edgerton; Botham Hall, Milnsbridge; Bryan Wood Care Centre, Edgerton; and Astley Grange, Fartown.

Jon Smith, GMB regional officer, said: “The shambles that is Southern Cross rumbles on because apparently the landlords still cannot get their act together after pulling the plug last month on Southern Cross.

“Quite why the landlords as the owners of the buildings should be running the show is as mysterious as it is unacceptable.

“Surely national government and elected councillors, on behalf of the taxpayer who fund 80% of the bills, should be in driving seat – not the backseat drivers who merely own the buildings.”

He added: “If the landlords in Yorkshire don’t pull their fingers out or government doesn’t take a hand, the deadline for the transfer of these operations will not be met and the worry and uncertainty for residents, their families and the staff will not be lifted.

“It is also high time the landlords and their chosen operators got round the table with the GMB and talked about the future of these homes.”