PLYMOUTH Community Homes have launched a shake-up of caretaking staff.

A 30-day consultation with employees began yesterday.

Company bosses said there would be enough jobs for all permanent caretaking staff "who have the required skills".

But worried staff told The Herald they feared non-permanent staff would lose jobs, others would face a reduction in pay and the service would suffer.

There are currently 47 permanent full-time members of staff in caretaking and supervisory roles, PCH said.

The proposal includes the introduction of 62 full-time 'ranger roles' and four supervisors.

Sue Shaw, PCH director of housing and neighbourhoods, said: "Our Environmental Services Team provides an essential caretaking function to our residents and we recognise and value the work they put in to making our neighbourhoods better places to live.

"One of our transfer promises was that this service would be reviewed.

"We have involved staff and residents in this review, which looked at how we could build on the team's growing reputation for high quality and provide value for money for residents."

She said there were enough jobs for all permanent caretaking staff who had the required skills.

"We are proposing to introduce a new role of Neighbourhood Ranger," she continued. "The review has recommended a more flexible way of working with broader job roles that give more opportunity for contact with customers. "We will be working alongside our staff to support them during the changes."

An employee called The Herald yesterday and said a meeting was held with caretaking staff around 1pm yesterday. The staff member, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "I fear that a lot of us are going to be out of work. It seems to me that the way they are doing it and the impact it will have on residents is disgusting. A lot of us have worked hard to look after the residents over the last 10 years. I feel the service and the morale will go through the floor."