Warden service could be cut by county council

Fears the warden service for elderly people in sheltered accommodation could be cut have emerged after a consultation into its future.

Norfolk County Council has asked the public for their views on the future of adult social care and held several meetings.

A resident in sheltered housing in Gorleston, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that his warden told him that two posts out of a dozen across the borough could be lost.

The county council's consultation website states the authority spends £1m each day on adult social services and they are planning to increase the overall amount we spend on adult social services in next year.

The report continues: 'However, the demands on adult social care continue to change so even with the investment we are making in services we still have savings to find if we are to continue to meet people's care needs.

'We are proposing to reduce the money we spend on housing related support services.

'We know that we can't solve society's problems on our own, so we want to find out how we can work with others to help make the biggest impact with the money that we have.'

The shake up comes after the county council this year asked tax payers for 3.99pc hike in council tax, with 2pc set aside for adult social care.

Services manager at Age Concern Great Yarmouth Jackie Tierney said: 'For many older people living on their own the warden is the only person they may see, the wardens can respond immediately to any situation, dealing with problems before they become crisis situations.'

The results of the consultation are expected by Jan 23, 2017 and feedback is expected by Feb 27, 2017.