Day centres which provide "vital care" to disabled and elderly people could be run by volunteers as the council struggles to make £32m of budget cuts.
The proposal comes after Merton Council's Labour cabinet, led by council leader Stephen Alambritis last month approved a proposal to slash adult social care funding by about £14m between 2016 and 2019.
Merton's four day centres will be run largely by volunteers if they stay open in 2016, with eleven full time staff positions set to be slashed if the plans are approved.
From December: 'Life-changing' cuts across public services in Merton approved last night
Simon Williams, director of adult social services in Merton, said: "We believe in keeping our day centres.
"We believe that they are a vital source of care and support to carers...But we have to find ways of saving money across the board and we believe it's possible to look at reducing staff in our day centres."
Merton Council leader Stephen Alambritis (pictured) has previously called the cuts "life-changing"
The proposal was discussed at a sombre scrutiny panel meeting last week, where carers, residents and disabled people pleaded with councillors to reduce the proportion of cuts falling on adult social care.
Where the cuts will fall
Jeanette Townley, who lives in Morden, told the panel: "The centres provide a safe, reliable place for people to meet up and enjoy a range of activities developed by staff.
"The crucial thing is they need good staff to run them which Merton has...Some of the staff deliver quite complex care to people who are extremely vulnerable."
Conservative councillor Suzanne Grocott, suggested finance officers go back to look for alternative ways of finding savings. Her proposal was seconded by Conservative councillors Abdul Latif and Brian Lewis-Lavender.
But she was not supported by a majority, so the recommendation will not be put forward to the council's overview and scrutiny committee, due to review all proposed cuts on January 29.
Councillor Peter McCabe, a Labour councillor in Morden who chairs the panel, argued the impact of the cuts in the future would be less severe because of taking this decision now.
To take part in the consultation on cuts to adult social care, visit Merton Council's website.
Let us know what you think by emailing newsdesk@wimbledonguardian.co.uk
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