A SHIPSTON councillor is launching a bid to save the jobs of wardens in sheltered housing complexes around south Warwickshire, next week.

Ward member Trevor Russel will be urging his colleagues to support him in his protest against South Warwickshire Housing Association's controversial plans to abolish live-in wardens at its homes.

He is to table a motion at next Wednesday's full Stratford District Council meeting, asking councillors to join him in pressuring the housing association into a U-turn.

Councilloe Russel says action must be taken as concerns over the plans to replace wardens with 24-hour panic buttons and part-time carers are running high throughout the area. He maintains he is not acting merely to save the wardens at Rainbow Fields and Stour Court in Shipston, but across the district as the new system will not provide the same level of care as the live-in wardens.

The new arrangements will fall short of being an "adequate substitute" for the live-in wardens and will see the care for residents suffer, he claims.

"South Warwickshire Housing Association's arguments for the changes are flawed," he says.

"They said they need to save nearly one million pounds, but sacking the wardens will only save them a third of this and they intend to find the rest by juggling the finances.

"Rather than cut frontline services, they should juggle the finances a bit more and look for savings elsewhere within their organisation."

Coun Russel adds that he knows the council cannot force the housing association to change its plans, but he hopes a "handsome majority" of councillors will support his motion, which could make a difference.