Two Monmouthshire councillors have raised concerns about the re-tendering of a care contract.
Councillors Richard John and Lisa Dymock have urged Monmouthshire County Council to safeguard the care provision for elderly people in the south of the county.
Lougher Home Care has been providing care services on behalf of the council for nearly 15 years, but now the contract is going to tender.
The Magor-based company employs around 60 local staff and provides approximately 1,000 hours of care each week.
Councillor Richard John said: “We are really concerned that the council is re-tendering for its home care provision and fear that this is motivated by cost instead of delivering the best possible care to vulnerable people.”
He added: “The council is getting a reputation for abandoning quality local businesses in favour of cheaper, lower quality provision from generic national providers.”
Councillor Lisa Dymock echoed these sentiments, saying: “It was heartwarming to hear how Lougher carers go to extraordinary lengths to improve the quality of life of residents.
“Many vulnerable older people in southern Monmouthshire simply wouldn’t be able to live independently without the support of these brilliant carers.”
She warned that a national company might not provide the same level of care, leaving residents and their families at a disadvantage.