A U-TURN over the axing of certain allowances for Swindon Council workers is possible after urgent talks with unions were announced.

After uproar over the scrapping of allowances, including those for housing wardens in sheltered accommodation, discussions between Swindon Council officers and union representatives are to be reopened.

The payments were cut as part of the Single Status review, an overhaul of the council’s pay and grading structure, but the council has now been forced to think again.

At Wednesday night’s cabinet meeting an urgent report was passed allowing the director of human resources and change to consult on and make a number of changes to the allowances’ policy.

The specific allocations being looked at include those for housing wardens, specifically as to whether their rents will be paid to the council.

Wardens, now known as sheltered accommodation officers, are being asked to start paying rent and bills under the Single Status scheme.

They will receive a pay increase of £1,500 a year.

Other allowances being reconsidered include those for tools for Swindon Commercial Services workers, some overtime payments and money for council staff being on-call.

Deputy leader Coun Fionuala Foley said: “We are re-opening discussions with the unions over certain allowances.

“This should not have a major impact on Single Status as a whole.

“Certain issues have been highlighted to us by the unions and we have agreed to discuss those.

“We are expecting those talks to start now and to be resolved by April.”

Staff across the council will be receiving letters this month advising them of new pay grades.

Of the council's 5,979 workers, 19 per cent will see their pay cut, another 19 cent will get an increase in their salary and 62 per cent will remain the same.

The pay rises are due to come in from April, while the cuts are expected to be delayed until April 2011.

Chris Howe, regional organiser for Unison, said: “The allowances that the council is cutting will reduce our members’ incomes significantly.

“There are certain allowances that are now being looked at again. We are waiting to see what they have to offer.

“They have now been given the authority to look again at other allowances as well.”