But Reform UK leaders, despite blocking a motion from opposition councillors asking for the process to be put on hold, said they have yet to decide its stance over the impending sale.

Norfolk County Council agreed an ‘in-principle’ deal to sell its own company Norse Care – and 20 care homes – to private company Stow Healthcare Group earlier this year, when the Conservatives were in control of the authority.

The people living in the homes – and the staff – would remain under the new ownership.

However, the deal has yet to be concluded and the council had to agree an extension to its contract with Norse Care, which ended in March, to keep running them until July.

In last month’s elections, the Conservatives lost control of County Hall, with Reform UK now leading the authority as a minority administration.

At the first meeting of the council since the county went to the ballot box, independent county councillor Alexandra Kemp tabled a motion asking the council to agree to pause and reverse the sell-off.

Alexandra Kemp (Image: Chris Bishop)

Miss Kemp, who represents Clenchwarton and King’s Lynn South, said: “There is no mandate for this sell-off. These care homes are good.

“If we go ahead and sell them off, we will lose control, not only of the fees but of the existence of these care homes and whether there will be enough in the various parts of Norfolk.

“We will have to be at the mercy of the private sector when we place people into care.”

She called for the council to carry out condition checks on the homes, to establish if the council could instead keep and invest in the homes.

Brian Watkins (Image: Liberal Democrats)

Brian Watkins, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, backed the motion and said: “It’s important that something of this magnitude is not rushed and a period of reflection allows for a full understanding of all the issues”.

Maxine Webb (Image: Maxine Webb)

It was also supported by Green group leader Maxine Webb, who said: “I really hope that the new administration can actually now support this decision being relooked at.”

Kay Mason Billig (Image: Emily-Rose Thompson)

However Conservative group leader Kay Mason Billig, who was leader of the council when the ‘in-principle’ sale decision was made, did not back the motion.

She said Norse Care had not had the money to fully refurbish the homes and that the Covid pandemic had got in the way of efforts to revamp some of them.

She said once Norse Care made the decision to come out of the care market, the council “had no choice but to do something”.

She added: “This decision taken by the previous administration was designed to ensure that those care homes can stay open, that the residents could stay in them, and that the staff contracts could be protected, at the same time as bringing in a provider with a good track record who would have the money to refurbish them.”

None of the Reform UK councillors spoke during the debate on the motion, which was rejected by 52 votes to 24.

Scott Hussey (Image: Reform UK)

But, after the meeting, Scott Hussey, cabinet member for adult social care and public health said: “I am working to get a full picture of the situation and its implications before forming a definitive position. No decisions have been finalised.

“The future of the Norse Care homes is a priority. I can assure residents, families and staff that continuity of care will remain the primary consideration.

“Any responsible decision must, however, account for the fiscal reality that we have inherited.

“It is deeply regrettable that the Conservatives, despite racking up more than £900m of debt, still failed to make the necessary investment to modernise the care homes.”

Which care homes are affected?

Beauchamp House, Chedgrave

Bishop Herbert House, Norwich

Cranmer House, Fakenham

Ellacombe, Thorpe Hamlet

Harker House, Long Stratton

High Haven, Downham Market

Lydia Eva Court, Gorleston

Mayflower Court, Norwich

Mountfield, Norwich

Munhaven, Mundesley

Rebecca Court, Heacham

Rose Meadow, North Walsham

St Edmunds, Attleborough

St Nicholas House, Dereham

Sydney House, Stalham

Westfields, Swaffham

Woodlands, King’s Lynn

Springdale Care Home in Brundall (Image: Denise Bradley)

Three Norse Care properties – Springdale Care Home in Brundall , Burman House in Terrington St John and Linden Court in Watton – had already shut.