Housing associations have called on a council to reverse plans for swingeing cuts to sheltered housing.

The plans by Glasgow City Council for 40 per cent cuts to funding for the services will leave older people with reduced support to live in their own homes, and cut hours that wardens are available. Funding will be cut from £5m to £3m.

However both this cut and a plan for a reorganisation and savings in mental health services, have both been called in to a special meeting of the city's Scrutiny committee this Wednesday.

The Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations (GWSF), which represents many smaller community-based housing associations, has written to councillors protesting the decision and will give evidence at the meeting. Members claim the council does not understand the vital role of sheltered housing in helping older people live at home.

GWSF director David Bookbinder said: "We know the council is under great pressure in terms of its overall funding, but it is very disappointing that it has decided the £5m it spends each year on sheltered housing is too much, despite the comparison with the £70m it spends on people in care homes.

"The social work department is more used to dealing with people with acute care needs and it isn't clear from the review the council has carried out that it has a good understanding of the crucial role provision such as sheltered housing plays in helping people remain independent."

Dr Bookbinder said housing associations had not been given enough time to make changes. Meanwhile social landlords fear further cuts in 2016, threatening the sector's future.

He said housing associations had not been given sufficient time to make the cuts which will take effect from April 1, and needed to speak to staff and older people dependent on the services first.

The cuts were approved by the council's executive committee in December, as were plans to reshape the city's mental health services, which include a 40% cut to the budget of the charity Glasgow Association for Mental Health.

In both cases the council wants to focus spending on those with the greatest needs and cut long term support for other residents.

In relation to sheltered housing a report to councillors said: "Older people's engagement with social work should only ever be transitory in nature... we should be seeking to recover, rehabilitate, re-able and recuperate."