Residential Wardens Under Threat

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 1st Sep 2005

The residential warden service in sheltered accommodation across Bath and North East Somerset is under threat following the development of the latest review by Somer Community Housing Trust.

Cuts in government funding through the Supporting People Program has increased pressure on Somer, the owner and manager of over 10,000 homes throughout Bath and North East Somerset, to conduct a cost cutting review of its sheltered housing schemes for older people.

Latest reports indicate the greatest impact of the review will be on the resident warden service. Currently on site wardens deal with day to day problems providing a 24 hour on call service ensuring resident well being and security.

The review threatens to remove this on site service and replace it with fewer mobile wardens, with the view of reaching residents within ten minuets of a call.

Cllr Tim Ball, Lib Dem Twerton, said; "Resident wardens serve a vital role in protecting residents and reducing the fear of crime, serving the overall needs of elderly and young residents of Bath and North East Somerset, which is best done by wardens being permanently on site.

"The safety and care of some of the most vulnerable people in our community will be put on the line if these cuts are made.

"This is why I will be questioning the Executive member for Housing at the next Executive meeting of the failure to alert the council and public to the possible scrapping of this service that is crucial to ensuring the safety and well being of so many vulnerable people."

"It is a shame that services are always being removed from the most vulnerable in society who are often those with the least voice to object."