Mixed feelings have been expressed by Caradon councillors about the introduction of mobile wardens - brought in a year ago to serve sheltered accommodation for the elderly.
During a debate about the new-style service, following the first 12 months of its introduction, Kevin Castle said he felt residential wardens still provided extra benefits. He mentioned them helping residents with shopping and other small tasks - something mobile wardens cannot undertake. He stressed the need to establish residential wardens where appropriate and said residents' views must be sought.
Godfrey Smale thought the residential warden system was preferred, as did Norah Coates for the tenants' association, but Mr Smale accepted that constraints required the use of mobile wardens to operate a wider service properly.
Liz Fourniss believed a mix of residential and mobile wardens was the way forward - the committee agreeing this scheme continues for a further year before being reviewed again. The phasing in of mobile wardens, although only at 'appropriate' opportunities, will continue, and will be commented on at each Caradon housing committee meeting.
The warden scheme is currently operated with four mobile wardens and four residential wardens who look after approximately 50 per cent of wardened housing. These are backed up by 28 of the old style part-time wardens. In the district only two small schemes are not receiving visits.
When the scheme began there were 49 part time wardens covering between six and 53 units throughout Caradon, with eight groups of units not serviced.