COUNCIL bosses are set to decide on whether to scrap a vital careline service for the elderly.

Tendring Council’s cabinet is set to debate options for the future of Tendring Careline and the “viability” of the service at a meeting on Friday.

One option includes no longer offering a Careline service with only an out-of-hours and CCTV service for Tendring residents.

But officers have instead recommended maintaining the service.

The service helps elderly people to live independently in their own homes and provides a device people can wear around their neck to summon help if they fall.

The contract for Tendring Careline to deliver out-of-hours call monitoring services to community interest company Provide, which delivers a range of health and social care services in the community, was terminated in April.

Although it means Careline does not need to employ so many staff, the council said lost income will have an impact on the financial viability of the service.

Four options are now being considered for the future of the service, which was already costing the council £501,000 a year before the Provide CIC contract income was lost.

The report said there would be a “reputational risk” if the council cuts the service as it has delivered Careline since 1987 and the decision would have the greatest impact on the elderly and vulnerable residents of Tendring.

Officers instead recommend maintaining the staffing required and increasing the number of fee-paying service users through an active marketing campaign to increase income.

The report added: “It should be noted however that there would be a delay between advertising and new income generation.

“In mitigation of the risk of any year-end shortfall a supplement can be called upon from Careline reserves and there is also the possibility of new external funding from health partners for a pro-active welfare service for Tendring residents which could be delivered within staff resources.”

Garry Calver, deputy leader of the council’s Labour group, said: “I’m pleased that the recommendation is to retain Careline, but it’s very concerning that withdrawing the service is even an option.

“Careline is far too important for anyone to even consider ending the service.”

Tendring Council added that under the recommended approach there would be investment in the service, using reserves if required, to market the service to local residents as well as train and recruit additional staff.

Paul Honeywood, cabinet member with responsibility for Careline, commended staff within the service for their hard work.

“Careline is a much-valued service, helping to keep people independent in their own homes, and a lifeline to many – particularly during Covid-19,” he said.

“The approach I am recommending to my cabinet colleagues is to build on this success, bringing some stability to Careline after a period of change due to the pandemic and external contracts.

“If agreed this will see more staff brought in to help more people in our district, and be a really positive step.

“Council officials have a legal duty to present all the possible options in reports for consideration by cabinet, which is why the report also sets out two other approaches and a baseline figure – but to be clear we are not looking to pursue these.”