Norwich City Council is to axe half the managers at its sheltered housing schemes, but leaders say tenants will not see services suffer.

The council has 28 sheltered housing schemes around the city – a mixture of one and two bedroom bungalows and flats, with 1,113 tenants living in them.

The city council currently employs 27 full time equivalent scheme managers for those complexes.

Their jobs include checking people are okay by making regular contact, reporting repairs which are needed, providing help and support in emergencies and liaising with social services and health organisations to arrange support.

But, because Norfolk County Council is changing the way it distributes Supporting People Grants, part of which have been used by the city council to fund the posts, the number is being reduced to 14 from April, with the sheltered housing service reshaped.

The city council said it had been planning to alter the service before that annual �500,000 grant was changed.

The authority says consultation with tenants revealed many never make use of the scheme managers, with just the 10pc most vulnerable being regularly helped.

Council officers said, because of the way the Supporting People Grant was being redistributed, services relating to care would still be provided.

Victoria MacDonald, city council cabinet member for housing, said: 'I am assured from all the work done at City Hall that the tenants will get a better service following this review, tailor-made to what they need.

'We are absolutely committed to our tenants and ensuring they get what they need. They will all have the opportunity to access a care plan that will change as their needs change.

'But if anyone does have concerns about what is happening, then they should speak to their scheme manager.'

The city council's sheltered housing schemes include Alfred Nicholls Court, Don Pratt Court, George Carver Court, Gildencroft, Harry Perry Close, Lakenfields, Melbourne Cottages, Silkfields, St James Close and Silver Birch Court.

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