Now we are on our own, says Edna, 84 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Now we are on our own, says Edna, 84

PENSIONER Edna Nyman (84) castigated Salisbury district council this week for withdrawing on-site wardens from sheltered housing.

Mrs Nyman told a full meeting of the council on Monday night that she had lived in the city's Graham House complex for 14 years, and she and other residents had moved there on the understanding there would be a warden on-site.

Now resident wardens at the council's 22 sheltered housing sites had been replaced by a team of visiting scheme managers.

Mrs Nyman said: "We used to be able to pull the red cord and the warden answered our call.

"They used to organise our Christmas parties and dinner, arrange outings and organise our bingo nights and help us in so many ways.

"Now we are completely on our own."

Mrs Nyman said tenants had not been properly consulted

"Just remember you are dealing with human beings," she told councillors.

"At least consult us before you change our lives in future."

She was one of about 30 angry sheltered housing tenants who attended the City Hall meeting to protest at the new warden arrangements.

Following widespread complaints - highlighted over several weeks by the Journal - the council's Tory administration's decision to withdraw wardens is now being reviewed.

During a two-and-a-half hour debate, the new system was heavily criticised by both opposition councillors and members of the public. Former councillor Colin Duller asked why it was right for residents of almshouses to have on-site wardens but not elderly council tenants.

And Liberal Democrat councillor Murial Tomlinson claimed that, by withdrawing on-site wardens, the council was in danger of neglecting elderly and vulnerable people.

She said the whole issue had been handled with "pomposity and insensitivity" and claimed it had brought shame on the council.

But council portfolio holder for community and housing John Cole-Morgan rejected the charges, accusing opposition councillors of making misleading statements and trying to raise alarm and despondency.

He said that moving wardens off-site and having visiting scheme managers had nothing to do with cost.

The new system was aimed at making the best use of resources and providing a more consistent and professional service. The move was necessary to meet the emerging priorities of the government's 'supporting people' policy, which call for the focusing of resources on those individuals with the greatest need.

Any new system needed time to settle down, he said, adding that he had heard that some tenants, particularly in rural areas, considered they were getting a better service than before. A Liberal Democrat motion expressing "serious concern" over the council's handling of the wardens scheme was defeated by 28 votes to 15.

But a Labour motion calling on the council to look again at the issue and try and find a solution that "meets the needs of the affected tenants and residents" was approved.