Our Labour/Lib Dem leadership inside Colchester town hall issued assurances a few months ago that the five sheltered housing schemes “under review” of closure would be safe for at least four or five years.

Yet last week I received a letter from Gareth Mitchell, a borough council officer, which contradicted previous announcements about sheltered housing in several areas.

Most crucially, Mr Mitchell stated nothing would happen to these homes for “at least two years”.

So, in just a few months, the stay of execution for these sheltered housing schemes has been more than halved.

The Lib Dem/Labour leadership is cutting its sheltered housing schemes at a time when people are living longer and we will need more council sheltered housing, not less. This privatisation by stealth must be resisted now. Bobby Hunt, the Colchester United legend fighting to save his sheltered home, Joyce Brooks House, will be standing as an independent candidate in the council elections.

Andy Abbott
Maidenburgh Street
Colchester