New plans for community care in the borough have been announced by Richmond Council, amid fears about funding for local charities.

Age UK Richmond, Integrated Neurological Services and Richmond Aid were confirmed as the council's choices for delivering services for vulnerable adults.

Earlier this year, the council revealed plans for community independent living services, which will see an extra £200,000 added to an existing budget of £745,000.

Councillor David Marlow, council cabinet member for adult services, said: “I know that in the past few months there has been a lot of uncertainty regarding the future of a number of vital services.

“Particularly those hundreds of people who regularly use Elleray Hall in Teddington, Barnes Green Social Centre and Linden Hall in Hampton - the unhelpful rumours and reporting about these centres has caused a lot of upset.

“I have always made it clear that Richmond Council is committed to all services for older people and residents should not be concerned that any service or provision will stop.

“I have never had any intention of closing Elleray, Linden Hall or Barnes Green.”

Age UK Richmond won two of the four contracts, providing services for Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen in one contract and Twickenham and Whitton in the other.

Integrated Neurological Services will cover Richmond, Ham and Kew while Richmond Aid provides for Teddington and the Hamptons.

They will work with other local voluntary organisations to establish a range of services for vulnerable adults, aiming to help people stay independent in their own home.

Whitton Councillor Liz Jaeger has raised concerns about the effects the plans would have on the futures of several Richmond charities.

She said: “It is a relief to hear these contracts have been won by well-respected organisations with local experience.

“But it remains a concern that we still don’t know which other local charities will retain funding to help deliver services. There is no doubt that some were not included in these winning bids.

“The anxiety around this process began over two years ago, with announcements about withdrawal of both rent subsidies and grants.

“Additional funding was only announced a matter of weeks before the tender process began, and then only in response to concerns about the administrative burden of delivering this four-locality model.

“The competitive process has in itself been damaging, and the fall out is yet to become clear.”

Richmond Liberal Democrat Councillor leader Stephen Knight said: “It looks as if they are trying to fudge it so that everyone can keep their funding.

“Obviously there has been a huge amount of lobbying and if they manage to achieve that, it begs the real question why they have gone through this process.

“It is not clear how these guarantees can be met unless they are able to commit more money to it.”

Richmond Aid and Age UK Richmond have joined forces with Citizens Advice Bureau Richmond to provide vital support for people affected by welfare reform.

They will provide support for disabled people, older people as well as providing legal and debt advice.

Coun Marlow added: “The services launched are part of the jigsaw in making sure our residents get good care and support.”