Nuneaton’s MP, Marcus Jones, has raised concerns about the warden service provided in sheltered housing complexes following a Borough Council review.

The MP, whose questions were not adequately answered by Borough Council officials, has resorted to submitting a Freedom of Information request following a meeting held at Stan Williams Court, during which he took part in a question and answer session and was able to listen to the concerns of residents.

During that meeting, it was confirmed that residents pay a weekly support charge of almost £40, which ostensibly is used to the warden service which residents have come to rely on. The Council’s decision to withdraw support has caused alarm for residents living in various complexes, including those at Stan Williams Court.

Marcus has requested detailed information on where the support charge money is now being spent, and whether residents will receive a rent reduction should the warden service cease to exist.

Commenting, Marcus said: “I am disappointed that as the local MP the local Borough Council has not been forthcoming with sufficient answers to my legitimate and genuine enquiries on behalf of residents. I have now submitted a Freedom of Information request and the Council has until the end of November to supply me with the information requested.

“Whilst I fully appreciate that changes to the service have to be made following the reduction in funding, the secretive manner in which this has been done has caused a great deal of unnecessary alarm for residents in Stan Williams Court. In my view, the support charge is paid for the warden service and if you ask residents if they would rather the warden service or a rent reduction, there is a strong majority in favour of retaining the warden service who offer a reassuring presence and help to keep residents living independent and engaging lives.”