CALLS for a permanent warden to be based at The Reddings, in Bulwark, Chepstow, have picked up momentum as one resident threatens to sue the council if anyone is injured while they are left without one.

Richard Ley, 67, says he moved to a disabled bungalow at The Reddings around five years ago, because he needed help to look after himself. Now left without a warden, Mr Ley says he regrets giving up his previous home. He is also threatening to sue the council if any resident of the sheltered housing complex is injured while they are without a warden.

He said: "I wouldn't have given up my home if I knew there wasn't going to be a warden. After providing medical evidence, I was allocated a bungalow for the disabled, so the warden became more essential as I am unable to look after myself and need assistance. I have had two strokes in the last year and two black-outs since then.

"I gave up my house to come in to a warden situation which they have done away with. I came here on the understanding that I was going to be taken care of.

"Tony Blair says he doesn't want to see people in care homes - but this is what the council are doing. If they don't get a warden, I may be forced to move again.

"If anything happens to the residents causing them injury, or even worse, it is my intention to sue the county council."

Commenting on Mr Ley's worries and threats to sue the council, Cllr Armand Watts said: "I think Mr Ley is concerned and feels he has no option. People threaten to sue as a last resort.

"Residents down there clearly are vulnerable and feel there is no other option left for them. It seems a shocking state of affairs that even when some residents phoned up MCC to ask them if there was anyone to help them put their Christmas decorations up, they were rejected. It shows how mean the council has become - they are like Scrooge."

John Keegan, head of housing at MCC, said: "We are reviewing the situation with sheltered accommodation in the county and are approaching a conclusion which we hope to take back to the select committee in December.

"Residents currently receive the same number of visits from the scheme co-ordinators as they would from a warden and are seen every day. The warden does not provide care, it is not their job. If Mr Ley is not being assessed for the level of care he requires, I will make sure this is put in place.

"If Mr Ley is at risk, he will receive a call from the call centre to check he is ok. He could also be offered the use of a pendant. We are seeing if there is any technology that can be used to make sure people feel secure." Responding to Mr Ley's threat to sue the council, Mr Keegan said: "We regret that people need to make such threats. We are utilising every resource to ensure the security of the tenants."

Mr Keegan says the council have no record of any requests from residents for assistance with putting up Christmas decorations.