CALLS to reverse a decision to cut the number of sheltered housing staff in Swindon have been backed by councillors.

Vulnerable people living at Charles Macpherson Gardens in Eldene are angry at the borough council's plans to leave them without a live-in warden and have teamed up with the ACORN union to make a stand.

The local authority insists it will still provide 24/7 support and is adopting a staffing model used elsewhere in the country.

READ MORE: Anger over sheltered housing cuts

READ MORE: Union launches Charles Macpherson campaign

But parish councillor for Nythe, Eldene and Liden and Conservative election candidate Curtis Flux said: “I believe it is paramount that the views of residents at Charles Macpherson are taken on board and my belief is we must fight to ensure a full-time warden is continued. 

“My understanding is many local figures have the same belief. One thing we must remember is the majority, if not all of the residents here are vulnerable in some way. This could have a physical effect as well as an emotional effect on many of them.”

Each of Swindon’s 32 council-run sheltered housing schemes has had a dedicated on-site warden working between 8am-4pm. In future, two wardens will be split between several sites.

Mr Flux added: “Over the past week I have had several conversations with Francis (Smith, a resident) and I have offered my commitment to help push SBC to review their initial decision and work with myself and the residents of Charles Macpherson to see that the views of this community are listened to and respected. 

"Ultimately I want to see a full-time warden continue.

“I will continue to stay in touch with Francis and the residents of Charles Macpherson to continue to work towards our desired outcome. 

"Many who know me will know how important it is for me to fight for what our community want and deserve. This is not about politics, this is about ensuring the many vulnerable residents of this community have the support they deserve.”

The council has reassured residents it would never put their safety at risk and will be able to access a 24-hour Homeline service when a warden isn’t in the building. 

It will also invite regular feedback from residents through TASH and Tenants Security Panel where people can bring up any concerns or questions relating to the review. 

South Swindon Labour councillor Steve Allsopp said: “I was at the Charles Macpherson pledge launch and there were a lot of individual testimonies and people saying what having a warden means to them – they felt safe and secure so it was quite powerful. People are already potentially vulnerable so this makes them unsure and gives them much less peace of mind.

“In my mind, they’re invaluable and having a warden on site saves a crisis as having residential wardens benefits people rather than putting people into more independent sites where it could cost more on the social care budget because the support won’t be there. As this doesn’t require many people so it isn’t enormously expensive.

“Having wardens on-call 24/7 is more of a challenge than it used to be but where people have got a warden they are supportive so they should keep it not remove it. I hope they have a review of the policy.”

Councillor and Labour spokesman for housing Paul Dixon said: “The removal of residential wardens is short-sighted and breaches the understanding given to tenants when they took up their tenancies. 

"I fear that the saving in support costs for the service will be more than outstripped by transferring more costs onto the ever-pressed adult social care budget.”