CAMPAIGNERS have pledged to continue their fight against the loss of services to sheltered housing despite bosses assuring there are no plans to make cuts.

After fears of cuts to the communal rooms and laundry services sparked tenants to protest against Whiteinch and Scotstoun Housing Association (WSHA) - the association’s chief executive said they were not being scrapped.

In a meeting between WSHA and Living Rent, the union called for the affected housing association to absorb the costs of any potential cuts to Northinch Court and Primrose Court to settle the tenants’ concerns.

In response Ian Morrison, the chief executive of WSHA, said the cuts to the budget of sheltered housing providers was just as concerning to them and talks were being held across the city to figure out the best way to continue services.

Mr Morrison said: “We discussed with Living Rent that Glasgow City Council is withdrawing all funding from sheltered housing this year in the city - following a decision by the city integration joint board for health and social work.

“This decision will affect all city residents in sheltered housing funded by the council and both Living Rent and ourselves are mutually concerned about this.

Housing Associations across the city cannot simply replace this funding without it affecting rents.”

After saying the association had no plans to scrap the communal rooms and laundry services, he added: “We will continue to consult all our sheltered housing residents on how best to continue the communal facilities, despite the loss of funding.

“We are already working closely with Loretto Care and the other city housing associations to ensure that vulnerable residents are properly assessed and supported.”

Sean Baillie, of Living Rent, said: “The cuts to services are serious and as long as tenants in Glasgow are concerned we will continue to support them.

“The cuts to housing associations made by the council are concerning to tenants and we would like to see the groups affected to make efforts to absorb the costs of keeping the services open.

“If housing associations across Glasgow are affected by cuts we would like to see a joint effort that will defend their tenants’ rights to vital services.”

A discussion on the issue of written warning letters issued to tenants was also held.

Living Rent asked for what they referred to as “ASBOs” issued to the tenants to be rescinded but WSHA refused - saying abuse to staff and tenants is not tolerated by the group.

Mr Morrison said: “We explained that it is Community Safety Glasgow who issue warning letters if there is unacceptable and anti-social behaviour, whether directed at other tenants or residents or staff.

“These are not ASBOs, court orders, as has been reported.”