SHELTERED housing scheme tenants have launched a petition urging Bromley Council to reconsider funding cuts which will cost them their warden.

Last month the council decided to reduce its funding to sheltered housing by £500,000 in 2011/12 and £800,000 in 2012/13, as part of a total of £33m budget cuts.

This means many sheltered accommodation schemes in the borough will no longer be able to provide a warden, also known as a scheme manager, to care for residents.

Tenants at Merlin Court in Durham Avenue, Bromley, have created a petition asking the council to save its scheme manager.

Maureen Foreman said: “We feel it is totally irresponsible for Bromley Council to take the funding away without any warning, leaving us vulnerable and at risk.”

Tenants at Franklin House sheltered accommodation scheme in Mays Hill Road, Shortlands, have also complained to the council about the decision.

Pat Longbottom, aged 69, said: “There are a lot of disabled and very elderly people here who need the warden.

“Our warden looks after us and makes sure everyone is feeling OK, and without her our lives would be hell. If there’s no warden, this is not sheltered accommodation, it’s just a block of flats.”