Neighbourhood wardens axed

The Neighbourhood Wardens Service is currently made up of 21 wardens and three supervisors.

From next month, the restructure will see all three supervisor posts go along with seven warden positions.

Wardens deal with issues including fly-tipping, graffiti, untidy gardens, littering and dog fouling as well as community work such as patrolling and attending public meetings.

But a borough council review prompted by Government funding cuts found that the existing service was not “financially sustainable” and the only way to reduce costs was to slash posts.

A report to the Cabinet on Wednesday said: “It is widely recognised that the work of neighbourhood wardens is well respected both within the council and by the general public.

“However, while it is a front-line service which contributes to many of the priorities of the council, the functions undertaken could be delivered in a variety of different ways.

“Compulsory redundancies may need to take place dependent upon the outcome of the restructuring exercise and the ability of remaining staff to either secure other positions within the council or employment elsewhere.”

The four-week review, which started on September 24, involved consultation with staff and unions.

By getting rid of all nine posts, the borough council will reduce the cost of the service by £223,000 a year.

Five wardens and two supervisors have already taken advantage of the voluntary severance scheme.

The team is currently linked up to the seven Safer Neighbourhood Team boundaries.

Under new plans, the wardens will be split into four groups—three linked to existing Safer Neighbourhood Areas and the fourth based in the town centre. The role of wardens supervisor will be scrapped.

The report states: “It is not anticipated that there will be substantial changes to the types of work performed by wardens.

“But the service is likely to increase the emphasis that is placed on enforcement activity, including the issuing of fixed penalty notices.

“The enforcement role undertaken by the service will become more critical as reductions in staffing numbers take place elsewhere in the public sector.

“In addition, there is an imperative to improve the management of the town centre, as part of a wider team.

“It is likely that in the future the service will undertake less direct engagement with groups of young people, including such things as the Junior Wardens scheme.”