WORRIED minds of wardens serving tenants in sheltered housing schemes throughout Bromsgrove have been put at rest following the feud over service charges.

Residents at Lowes Court, in Elm Grove, presented their warden with flowers to show they are needed.

Some warden services were threatened after Bromsgrove and District Tenants' Association objected to plans to impose separate charges on tenants for extras, such as laundry, on top of their rents.

Previously, the charges had been spread across all tenants in homes belonging to Bromsgrove District Council.

The battle has been going on for around two months and the council told residents if they did not want to pay for warden services they would be withdrawn -- leaving workers fearing for their jobs.

Last Thursday's presentation was to calm the troubled waters as the saga continues.

Association secretary Janet Archer said: "There has been recent speculation as to whether wardens are needed at some sheltered housing schemes.

"Some tenants have decided to opt out of this service to avoid the cost.

"However, this is not the case at Lowes Court."

To help with the current emotions which are running high among sheltered housing tenants, the group's vice-chairman, Dennis Wheatley, is urging each scheme to elect its own committee to oversee the day-to-day running of each venue.

He said: "The committees can then liaise with us and we can sort out a plan of action in our campaign to stop these service charges being implemented."

For more details call Dennis on (01527) 874571.