A |Tory councillor fears sheltered housing in Southend may have to close as part of a review looking at whether they are up to standard.

Southend Council is to consider the future of its 1,493 sheltered housing units across 34 sites, to assess whether they meet modern standards, with the majority of them built in the Eighties.

Although the authority says no closures are being considered at this point, the review will look into whether they are fit for purpose.

The schemes will be assessed for usefulness, with those offering a large number of bedsits and far from local facilities likely to be judged the weakest.

Mark Flewitt, shadow spokesman for housing, said: “The worrying thing about the review is the shadow of unnecessary closures taking people’s communities from them.

“The Conservatives will seek as much enhancement as possible to the sheltered network, but are seriously worried about these tenants’ future and the likelihood of any closures.”

The council says privatising schemes, managed by South Essex Homes, is not part of the project’s scope, but when asked about potential closures, a spokesman said: “The exact scope of the review has yet to be decided.”

Although Southend is predicted to have a rise in people over the age of 65 living in the borough over the next decade, 28 sheltered housing flats in the borough have been vacant for the past six months.

The authority will analyse each scheme, and score it against what constitutes good quality sheltered housing in the 21st century.

As there is no national guidance, so the council officers will have to come up with their own standards to judge their properties against.

The spokesman added: “With an ageing population in the borough it is essential we make the best use of what resources we have and the sheltered housing stock is an important asset to meet the demographic pressures we face.

“The review will look at best practice, good examples within the borough and ensure we are providing the standard and type of accommodation people want.

Council could ditch South Essex Homes

Southend Council is considering ditching South Essex Homes, it has emerged.

The arms length management company was set up ten years ago to oversee council housing across the town.

Its contract runs out in March 2016, so officials have launched a review into whether to continue with it.

In a report discussed by councillors, it admits the housing picture has changed “enormously” since 2005, and changes, such as funding cuts, the council’s aim to become a housebuilder and welfare reforms will all have a bearing on whether to continue with South Essex Homes.

But the report does acknowledge South Essex Homes’s work in bringing council properties up to Decent Homes standard and says tenants are satisfied with the company.

The authority paid it £9.4million for 2015/16 to manage its housing stock, but £2.3million of that the council would have had to pay anyway for the bills such as utilities and corporation tax.

Labour’s David Norman, councillor responsible for housing, said: “I believe this arrangement should continue, although if it does, like the rest of the public sector and the council itself, we will have to find significant efficiencies in the future.

“Following the next housing working party later this month I will present a paper to cabinet, detailing the way forward.”

Costly consultants could be used

Southend Council might use outside consultants in the review, a spokesman said.

Both the sheltered housing review and that into keeping South Essex Homes’s could go out to “expert consultants”

according to a report.

The document says “a project brief will be put out to tender to expert consultants who have a proven track record of undertaking similar projects nationally.”

A council spokesman said no decision had been made on appointing consultants, and they could not give a potential cost for the service.

In a leaked email, housing boss Andrew Friske said: “The opportunity will be advertised on the council’s procurement website so will be open to a wide range of consultants.

The authority’s documents reveal consultants could be in place to help with decision making on whether to ditch South Essex Homes by September, but a spokesman said no decision has yet been made.