Once more unto the breach, Or: Barnet comes after sheltered housing again

We held the sheltered housing warden cuts back for a year, through a combination of legal and political challenges. Let that be a lesson to all! Give up without a fight and you lose. Fight and you win... time, at least!

Barnet council's plan to axe residential wardens in sheltered housing schemes was ruled illegal at the High Court last December - it fell foul of disability discrimination legislation. Now they think they have it sussed, and will bring new proposals before the cabinet meeting on Wednesday 20 October.

David Young, the chair of the UK Pensioners' Strategy Committee, says about Barnet's latest plans:

“Barnet has seemingly learned nothing about the hurt and fear they are causing the older people that trusted them and gave up their homes to have the support of a resident warden.”

Now, I would have liked to go down and join the demonstration shouting - perhaps impotently - at Westminster or Downing Street next Wednesday. It is the day of the Comprehensive Spending Review when we all learn just how bad our fate is going to be in the next period. But this is a better use of my time and possibly yours:

Lobby of Barnet council cabinet meeting
Wednesday 20 October
6pm-6.45pm, Hendon Town Hall, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BG

Please come and join the lobby next Wednesday. If you would like more details email ukpensioners@googlemail.com or info@barnettuc.org.uk.