A report on standards of care in ten privately-run Essex care homes has been dismissed as a "whitewash" by Labour councillors.

Essex County Council's cabinet will discuss tomorrow a report about the homes by the Adult Social Policy Development Group.

Following a barrage of complaints, the development group held an inquiry into standards of care in ten Essex care homes.

The homes include Goldenley, in Benfleet, and Sweyne Court, in Rayleigh, and all the homes were taken over by private company Excelcare in March 2005.

The report, by chairman Bill Dick, recognises the "serious concern" shown by the public following claims from relatives and staff of falling standards of care.

But it concludes all the homes - where some staff are considering strike action over pay and conditions - are "currently performing at or above the national standard".

It recommends regular planned visits to the homes by members of the group, an annual review of quality and a more accessible complaints procedure.

However, Paul Kirkman, leader of the county council's Labour group, has submitted a his own report and distanced himself from Mr Dick's findings.

Mr Kirkman's report says a decision to meet Excelcare separately from the public meeting on the issue was "scandalous".

It also concludes evidence was not sufficiently scrutinised to result in a "rational conclusion".

Mr Kirkman said: "The private meeting held with Excelcare was unparalleled in my political experience.

"We had the chairman of the policy development group, charged with holding the provider to account, acting as if he would rather not be talking to it at all other than to say what a wonderful job it is doing.

"There were nine representatives from Excelcare, three councillors and an officer present.

"No critique of the company was offered by anyone but myself.

"They refused to comment on the conditions under which their staff look after our citizens."

Mr Dick defended his report and said: "We had little time to arrange the meeting.

"It was impossible to convene a meeting of the whole committee at such short notice.

"Mr Kirkman was at the meeting and nobody there disagreed with me."

The county's cabinet will discuss the report tomorrow at 10am.