Date: 22nd January 2010

Labour Welcomes Decision to Consult Residents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

At last night’s Health Scrutiny meeting, Labour councillors welcomed the Committee’s decision to ask the Council to consult tenants at the Council’s sheltered housing schemes about the loss of scheme managers.
The item was discussed after Labour Cllr Bill Esterson presented a petition to the Council from residents at Esmonde House in Brompton. Residents were alarmed to hear the council planned to move scheme managers every two years as they liked the continuity and security of having a scheme manager they knew and trusted.
At last night’s meetings, councillors agreed to ask the Council’s Assistant Director for Housing, Deborah Upton to review her decision to move the scheme managers.
Residents from Esmonde House, Marlborough House and Longford Court all attended the meeting.
Labour Cllr Bill Esterson said,
“Residents at Esmonde House asked me to present the petition because they didn’t want to change their scheme manager, Sue Mitchell. Sue does a first-rate job and is trusted by the residents, and they could not understand why the change was needed. Concerns had been raised about previous scheme managers but Sue and the managers at the other schemes are highly regarded by the residents.”
“The Council was also worried about potential favouritism and protecting the residents. But the council has already brought in improved supervision and extra training to reduce the possibility of any improper actions by the managers. The proposed change did not stack up and I am glad that at least the Council is going to reconsider its decision.”
Cllr Julie Shaw called for the review at last night’s meeting and was pleased with the outcome. Labour Cllr Mrs Shaw said,
“The right decision has been made and I am pleased that councillors from the ruling group accepted what the residents had to say. I hope that the review is carried out quickly and look forward to hearing its findings when this is reported back to the committee next time.”

ENDS

For further comment please contact Cllr Bill Esterson on Mobile: 07976 628730 .  Alternatively contact the Group office on 01634 332393.