Workers whose jobs are at risk have been left in "shock" after it was announced a vital service they provide for the vulnerable and elderly could be cut in weeks.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council has proposed stopping its in-house Alarm Receiving Centre that supports thousands living in sheltered accommodation, outsourcing it instead to a private company based in Norwich.
The move was expected to take place in 2025 but the authority is now hoping to make the change by early 2024, leaving staff worrying what it could mean for their jobs just weeks before Christmas.
Critics also worry the move will mean the elderly and vulnerable users will lose the "personalised" service they currently receive.
Jonathan Dunning, branch secretary of Unison, which represents staff affected by the changes, said: "The speed with which this is being pushed through has come as a shock.
"They feel disappointed that they have not had the time to have a proper dialogue with managers.
"The way it is swiftly being rushed through is a concern."
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GYBC say it is vital that the move to CareLine 365 as part of the digitalisation of phone lines and it needs to be done quickly to avoid "risking the lives" of users should the service fail.
It says issues in recruiting staff have meant there is a risk of the service not being available.
A report to the council also states that the necessary upgrades to its emergency alarm systems will be too expensive and that it already runs at a financial loss, with the change expected to generate £200,000 in savings annually.
Existing staff will be able to transfer to the new local service provider in Norwich, although according to the report, several staff have already signalled they may quit due to the uncertainty.
At a cabinet meeting, members, including the leader, decided to take the proposal to scrutiny for further debate.
Council leader Carl Smith said: "The biggest thing we need to do is to make sure people have access to this vital service when it is required. The proposed provider is a very experienced national company who will be able to deliver this."
However, critics fear it will lead to the quality of the service falling and that it is being pushed through without proper consultation.
Trevor Wainwright, leader of the Labour opposition group at GYBC said: "This means people will lose a personal service that would go above and beyond to help residents, whether it is arranging repairs or prescriptions.
"It seems an odd decision to privatise an important council-operated service at a time when they are making efforts to bring several services back under council control."
Keir Cozens, Labour candidate for Great Yarmouth added: "The decision to change this vital service is happening much quicker than anyone thought and without proper consultation with the users, most of whom are older people, disabled or have learning difficulties.
"For the 10 members of staff to find out about this change just before Christmas is just not right, too.”
GYBC has recently announced a sweeping range of cuts and changes to its services as part of efforts to find £1.5m in savings next year.
This includes stopping its subsidy for RNLI lifeguard duties at three beaches in the district - Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and Hemsby.
It comes amid growing financial pressures for the authority, which predicts it could face a budget deficit of £4m by 2026.
Councillors will make a decision on whether it will outsource its emergency alarm service provider at a cabinet meeting next week.
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