Councillors were accused of "playing politics" by families after a last-ditch bid was launched to get a U-turn over a decision which could mean the transfer of an old people's home to the private sector and the closure of another.

At a meeting of Bradford Council last night, Councillor Dave Green (Lab, Odsal) put forward a notice of motion asking for a fresh look at the transfer of Meadowcroft Elderly Persons Home to the private sector and the closure of Greenacres to allow another complex for elderly people to be built.

He said he believed the decision did not reflect that of the scrutiny committee which examined the issue, the welfare of residents, or long-term service needs of elderly people who needed quality care.

But an amendment supporting the executive committee's decision to bring forward options for the development of extra care facilities on Greenacres, including the possibility of a facility to deal with the elderly mentally ill, was passed.

Coun Green said the Council was failing its responsibility to residents and "balancing accounts and massaging public opinions".

But Tory Councillor Kris Hopkins, executive member for community including social services, said the Meadowcroft option meant it would stay open. He said it would move into the independent sector and options would soon come forward. He pledged the issues would go back to scrutiny committees for full appraisal. If they are not appropriate it will be retained by the Council.

But families and representatives of City Hall union Unison said after the meeting the decision was a blow and disappointment. Eileen Armstrong, whose mother, Ellen Durkin, is at Greenacres, said: "I am absolutely incensed. They are playing politics."

Unison branch chairman Liz Devlin said: "If this does go back to scrutiny, our campaign will continue. We will not give up."

Meanwhile, Government regeneration agency Yorkshire Forward was criticised at the Council meeting for "sitting twiddling its thumbs" over long-awaited work to remedy pollution at the Odsal Stadium land tip. Councillors were told that work on feasibility schemes and designs for the project had been put on hold because Yorkshire Forward wanted to "significantly" cut funding allocated to West Yorkshire authorities in their sub-regional action plan.

Yorkshire Forward had indicated that it would be supporting the £5.6 million project at Odsal Stadium to clear the pollution which has worried residents living nearby for years.

Councillor Cooke - executive member for regeneration - revealed work on the initial study had stopped after he was asked by Coun Green what was happening to the work. Coun Cooke said: "I will explore alternative funding. I want to get this sorted out. I want this to happen but this unelected quango is twiddling its thumbs."