VULNERABLE council tenants in Wellington were this week reassured they would continue to receive the level of care and support services they needed.

The assurance came ahead of talks planned with Lodge Close residents for today (Thursday) to help Taunton Deane and Somerset county councils understand tenants’ views.

Lodge Close is currently designated a Deane council extra care housing scheme (ECH) where services are available for vulnerable frail elderly or younger people with disabilities 24 hours a day.

The bungalows and flats are let by the Deane council as the housing provider and the care services are delivered by Way Ahead Care with funds from the county council.

But difficulties in recent years finding suitably needy tenants meant the Deane had to let some properties to people with lesser or no care needs.

And recently some of the newer tenants began objecting to paying for extra levels of care they did not require, causing the county council to review whether to continue the Way Ahead Care funding.

Deane council housing and communities officer Jan Errington said: “Consequently, the county have asked us to consult tenants on what the service could be if it was no longer ECH.

“It is possible that there will be a mixed reception with some tenants wanting to keep the service and staff team as it is and others feeling they do not need the intensity of service or the charges.

“One alternative to the ECH service would be ‘enhanced sheltered’, with the Deane Helpline providing an emergency response, responding to alarm calls and providing wellbeing calls and reminders.

“The current specialist ECH officer could focus more time at Lodge Close and mainly base themselves there.

“TDBC have no agenda with this and we would be more than happy to keep the Lodge Close scheme as ECH if that is what is needed, and everyone wants (tenants and commissioners).”

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