Sheltered housing residents win fight for wardens

Every sheltered housing scheme in a town is to have its own warden after widespread protests by residents.

The change replaces "floating wardens", a system put in place by the previous Conservative administration of Swindon Borough Council in 2021.

Residents gathered at council offices in protest at the previous decision, which included a single warden serving numerous locations at the same time and being contactable by phone.

Praising the u-turn, Patricia Burridge, 87, who lives at Charles Macpherson Gardens in Eldene, said it was a "much better idea".

"A lot of people do need their help, and it's much better to have someone here all the time," she added.

Janine Howarth, the council's cabinet member for housing, announced the reversal of the decision at the end of a budget meeting on 26 February.

"I have spoken with tenants in sheltered housing and they are still upset by the measure that was brought in," she said.

Howarth also paid tribute to the late Francis Smith, who lived at Charles Macpherson Gardens and had organised protests against the original change.

"I wish Francis Smith had been here to hear this: Charles Mac fought back, and won," she added.

According to Local Democracy Reporting Service, when the decision for floating wardens was made, the then cabinet member for housing, councillor Cathy Martyn said it had been getting harder and harder to attract wardens.

Ronald Harrison, 77, who lives at Charles Macpherson Gardens said: "It's called sheltered housing for a reason - we only have a warden for two hours a day, and a lot of people here, especially in the big house, where a lot of people are over 90, need their help.

"They are there to check in on people, help and give reassurance, and a lot of people need that," he added.

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