ELDERLY residents at a sheltered housing block are breathing a sigh of relief after the threat of staffing level cuts was lifted.

About 40 people at the Ferry View very sheltered housing complex in Evesham were preparing for a fight with Rooftop Housing Group, after a manager told them a reduction in working hours of the site-based support staff was “inevitable”.

The housing group has now said it has “no plans to reduce the current level of cover” saying the staff member was new to the job and his comments had been “misinterpreted.”

It has apologised to residents for any “undue stress” caused.

In a statement released on behalf of tenants following the manager’s initial comments, residents - including seven over 90, said: “We’re being left here at the mercy of fate.

“An emergency pull cord cannot replace a human being.”

Fred Kaler, chairman of Evesham & District Pensioners Association, was called in by tenants along with a solicitor, who were ready to fight any proposals to reduce cover at the very sheltered housing complex.

Wardens were replaced in 2008, with site-based office staff taking over weekdays between the hours of 8am and 9pm and at weekends from 10am until 1.30pm.

Tenants were told these hours would reduce to those currently used at other Rooftop sheltered housing sites, cutting weekend cover altogether and reducing weekday hours from 9pm to 5pm.

Juliana Crowe, housing and communities director for Rooftop, said: "We have no plans to reduce the current level of cover we provide at Ferry View.

“We have monthly meetings with the residents and unfortunately something was said at the last meeting by one of the new members of staff that has been misinterpreted.”

Mr Kaler said the residents had been left confused and frightened by what they had heard at the monthly tenants meeting on April 12.

“The manager showed up at a meeting and told residents this is what would happen,” he said.

“But as long as we’re back to the status quo then we’re happy.”

He added the pensioners' association was still keen to see wardens reinstated at the complex and would talk to Rooftop about that possibility.

Mrs Crowe added: “We are well aware of the sensitivities involved in this topic and we have worked hard to create and maintain a close relationship with the residents at all our sheltered schemes, but in particular those at Ferry View, and it saddens me personally if some residents feel we do not have their interests at heart.

“I hope at the next meeting we are able to iron out any remaining concerns residents may have."

Rooftop runs three other supported housing sites in the town at Bewdley Court, Mead Court, and Cherry Orchard.