Wiltshire Council will continue consultation on the end of the “no longer fit for purpose” housing related services in the county.

Housing Related Services seeks to promote independence and delay the onset or need for more formal social care. Across Wiltshire, the service is used by nearly 1,200 people over 130 sites.

According to the report before cabinet, around 40 per cent of those eligible for HRS took up the opt-in service. Which the council says costs £957,987 annually to run or around £800 per tennant.

HRS is a non-statutory service, which means that the council is not legally obligated to provide it.

Instead, it was proposed to cabinet that the council works with residents, landlords and providers to access alternative means of housing related support. And that officers further consult residents on the council’s preferred position.

In December, residents were consulted on the service, to which the report said: “Findings showed that although some residents were at risk of social isolation, when that need was met, they were able to live independently.

“The consultation also demonstrated that there was considerable overlap in the HRS and the housing management provided by the Registered Social Landlords (RSLs).”

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Thus it was proposed that the service be cut, as the cabinet report suggests HRS is “no longer fit for purpose.”

The final decision on the future of the service will be made by the director for joint commissioning in consultation with the cabinet member for adult social care and SEND, Jane Davies and the corporate director for people Lucy Townsend.

Cllr Davies said: “I think we need to do better and the further consultation I am requesting will give us the opportunity to identify the need more clearly and align with our early support and prevention strategies and tallies with our strength-based approach to working with adults.

“This review is required to ensure future provision is equally accessible regardless of tenancy.”

Deputy leader of the council, Laura Mayes asked public reassurance that residents will get the support they need.

Cllr Davies replied, saying that the consultation identified concerns over social isolation.

The member said the plan would be to ensure all residents are better connected to their communities.

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Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ian Thorn said the proposals "had a whiff of Furlong Close" about them; calling into question the council's scutiny process.

"It does seem odd that the matter should be discussed, and presumably decided on today, when its due to go to the health select committee in early July," he said.

"I would suggest if we have any confidence in, and I think we should, in the way this council does scrutiny that surely we're putting the cart before the horse, and the scrutiny should take place before cabinet makes a decision."

Cllr Thorn added that costs are being reduced at the expense of some the most vulnerable people in the county.

Responding, Cllr Davies said she was "disappointed" by Cllr Thorn's cynicism in the consultation.

"The proposals are to have another consultation and then make a delegated decision," she said.

"It's very clear in the report that the chairman and vice-chairman of the health select committee have been breifed on the proposals and that they are very aware of the preferred position of the council and it is the transition plans that are going to scrutiny at the beginning of July."

Cabinet voted unanimously to approve the recommendations.