Dozens of residents in Dumbarton and the Vale who threatened to cancel their community alarm service following a price hike have now decided against the move.
We revealed how almost 200 people had cancelled the lifeline service after the price was increased from £2.62 to £5 per week.
According to the latest council figures, 46 of those people, have now decided to retain the service in their home.
There are now 1087 people with the alarms.
Alexandria man Jim Elder-Woodward, who was born with cerebral palsy, had hit out at council leader Jonathan McColl after he stated that no-one who needed a lifeline community alarm should have to cancel it.
We revealed how the 71-year-old disabled pensioner pays almost £8000 a year for 24-hour care.
The former social work manager claimed he pays £63.50 per week in Community Care Tax and an additional £83 each week for support from the Independent Living Fund.
The council leader claimed elderly and disabled residents were eligible for up to £88 per week which would help cover the price increase. But the £88 is only available to those aged over 65.
Councillor McColl said the increase in costs was necessary to continue providing the services to those who need it most.
Jim said he was “truly enraged” by the councillor’s remarks and branded them “callous”.
The council leader refuted Jim’s claims, adding that he was confident in the assessments carried out which deemed the increased costs affordable.
He said he believed the charges were “affordable, reasonable and necessary”.
A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Council, said: “Of the 197 residents who initially cancelled their Community Alarm, 46 have now decided to keep the service.
“Unlike other authorities, West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership offers a range of additional services including smoke and fall detectors, bed and chair sensors, property exit sensors, bogus caller and panic button trigger and GPS Buddi system which we do not charge for”
