Public to Have Their Say on Residential Wardens

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 13th Sep 2005

Council Housing Overview & Scrutiny panel to call Somer Community Housing Trust to public account following Thursday's Overview & Scrutiny panel meeting.

Somer's review of its sheltered housing schemes for older people which threatens the removal of residential wardens was under debate by local politicians last week.

Proposed by Cllr Tim Ball (Lib Dem, Twerton) the panel agreed to instruct the Council's Director of Housing to write to Somer requesting them not to make a formal decision on the fate of residential wardens before they have consulted with the Housing O&S panel in a public meeting.

Chair of Housing O&S panel, Cllr Steve Hedges said; "It is vitally important that the public are engaged in this matter.

"Residential 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, that's why residents and members should have the opportunity to ask necessary questions of Somer in an open public session."

Cllr Ball (Lib Dem, Twerton) said; "I was surprised at the lack of support for the urgency of this matter from the other groups who opposed a special meeting. If we do not act immediately then it will be too late and 1000's of residents will be left without a warden whom many elderly and young people rely upon heavily."

It was revealed on Wednesday following a question from Cllr Ball at the Executive meeting that the cost cutting review has been underway since early this year.

Cllr Ball commented; "I was shocked to hear the Executive member for Housings complacency to this matter. The Tory Executive has been allegedly aware of this impending residential warden cut for months now but failed to inform the council or the public."

Cllr Hedges (Lib Dem; Odd Down) said; "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. The public need to be aware of what's going on and given the opportunity to have their say on a matter that will impact on the lives of 1000's of residents across the whole of Bath & NE Somerset."