The controversial sale of 20 council-owned Norfolk care homes to a private healthcare company has still not been completed - more than six months after county councillors paved the way for the contentious deal.
And the delay has forced Norfolk County Council to take action to extend a contract with its care company Norse Care to keep supporting the people who live in the homes.
Under the former Conservative administration, the council agreed an 'in-principle' deal to sell Norse Care - and 20 care homes - to private company Stow Healthcare Group.
Leaders said that deal would enable fresh investment into those homes and that the March end of Norse Care's contract to run them was the right time to make the change.
The people living in the homes - and the staff - would remain under the new ownership.
However, in April, with the deal yet to be concluded, an extension to Norse Care's contract was agreed, so the company would keep running the homes until the end of July.
And now, after Reform UK took over control of County Hall from the Tories at May's elections, it has emerged that a further extension has had to be agreed, with the due diligence over the deal yet to be completed.
Scott Hussey, Reform's cabinet member for adult social care and public health, used delegated powers to agree to the extension, ostensibly until September 30, but potentially until January next year.
Political opponents have said that, with Norfolk County Council due to be scrapped because of local government reorganisation - which will see three new unitary councils created - the sale should be stopped.
Reform UK leaders at County Hall are seeking a judicial review into the decision-making by ministers over local government reorganisation and hope to stop the process.
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
Three Norse Care properties - Springdale Care Home in Brundall, Burman House in Terrington St John, and Linden Court in Watton - have already closed.
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