Labour reveal plan to axe sheltered housing wardens ahead of formal decision
The Council Budget 25/26 which was discussed at the most recent Cabinet meeting show the Labour administration propose to save £400,000 by removing Sheltered Housing Wardens (SHOs) that provide essential care to elderly and vulnerable residents who live in the 24 schemes managed by Milton Keynes City Council.
At the most recent Full Council meeting, Lib Dem Leader, Councillor Jane Carr asked the Cabinet Member for Adult Services to give reassurance that support will be offered to those residents who will be affected financially by the changes, as the shortfall will not be covered by their housing benefit.
The Labour Cabinet Member provided assurances that no final decision had been made.
However, the budget proposed by the administration paints a different picture, planning to save £300,000 next year and £100,000 the year after, leaving residents and Lib Dem councillors questioning the reliability of consultation process.
The sheltered housing consultation that closed early last month provided residents with three choices:
- Pay £24 per week to keep their warden who carries out vital wellbeing checks.
- Pay £11.82 per week to share a warden across multiple sheltered housing schemes.
- Pay nothing – resulting in the complete removal of wardens.
Lib Dem Leader, Councillor Jane Carr, said:
“Sheltered housing wardens play a crucial role in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of elderly residents, and more importantly carrying out daily proof of life checks. We were reassured that no decision had been made, but the papers show Labour have already made up their mind to cut this vital service. For elderly residents who often rely solely on state pension, which is a total of £221.20 per week, these added expenses will have a detrimental impact on their standard of living.”
Deputy Leader, Councillor Paul Trendall, added:
“These cuts and charges come as the City Council scrambles to cover a national insurance shortfall, and instead of finding fair solutions, Labour is yet again passing the buck to the most vulnerable residents in our community, first the winter fuel payment and now this.”
Lib Dem councillors object to the additional charges proposed by the City Council and are urging residents to sign the petition online at https://www.mklibdems.co.uk/sheltered-housing.