TENANTS of a Deane council estate in Wellington were celebrating victory this week in their campaign to keep 24-hour live-in care services on site.

Way Ahead Care will now be allowed to continue delivering its extra care housing (ECH) service for residents of Lodge Close until at least the end of the present contract in March, 2020.

The service is available day and night for vulnerable frail elderly tenants and younger residents with disabilities, whose rent includes a contribution towards the cost.

But it was threatened after the Deane council granted several tenancies in recent months to more able people who then complained they did not need the care and did not want to pay their share.

The Deane, and Somerset County Council, which funds Way Ahead, decided therefore to consult with all tenants on whether to change the ECH delivery.

County senior commissioning officer Vicky Chipchase announced this week most tenants wanted the support and care services to continue as they were, and so the Way Ahead contract would stay in place.

Cathy Lockyer, whose wheelchair-bound daughter Joy has lived at Lodge Close for ten years, said: “It is brilliant news. We have some respite for a couple of years at least, and hopefully it will be renewed after that."

For the full story see this week’s Wellington Weekly News.