Lib Dems call-in "meals on wheels" decision

1.06.00am GMT Wed 15th Nov 2006

Liberal Democrat County Councillors have called in the decision to seek tenders to operate the County Council's "Meals on Wheels" service.

Councillor David Garlick said: "We have done this because we feel that the report presented to Cabinet was of an insufficient quality for a considered decision to be taken. In addition to the cabinet report an updated appendix was circulated late in the morning of the cabinet meeting. This was not received in time for those attending the cabinet meeting to absorb its contents prior to discussion at the cabinet. The whole issue has been handled very badly."

"What the Liberal Democrats want, is for a new fully detailed report to be prepared and considered by a Scrutiny Committee before any decision to seek tenders are made. Only that way will we be assured that the quality of service will be maintained or enhanced, and the revised cost of the meal fully debated"

The Liberal Democrats are very concerned that the increase in costs will put elderly people off the service. The Cabinet Member has already admitted that because of the changes to the criteria for home care services the number of people receiving the subsidised "Meals on Wheels" service will decrease from around 1,200 to 850 affecting particularly the meals provided in Day Centres and Luncheon Clubs.

Cllr. Garlick added "I recognise that the current system is in need of change and improvement. However when we are looking at services to the elderly and vulnerable any changes needed must put their interests first before County Council budget cuts.

The Meals service offers so much more than a meal, that the breadth of care and flexibility of response offered by well trained and experienced staff cannot be replicated in the private sector. It caters for a regular check and report concerns such as ill health, emergency response in the event of a crisis or 'no reply', identifying any increase in care needs / alongside meeting simple day to day needs and problems directly or through the report back system. It would be surprising if these can be met through a contract provider at £3.95 per meal!

If those in receipt of meals are prepared to pay £3.95 per meal as is claimed, an in house proposal based on this price must surely be put before Councillors for them to consider alongside those from the private sector. It is for these reasons that the Liberal Democrat Councillors are calling in this decision.

Across Northamptonshire, around 1,200 people currently receive Meals on Wheels. The exact figures are not available from the County Council. The present charge is £2-68 and is expected to increase to at least £3.95.

The current system is outdated and inefficient, with some areas of the county receiving only a 'sporadic' service.

The present kitchen in Northampton where meals are currently prepared, is in need of re-fitting and will have to be upgraded, and will need to be relocated when the present Cliftonville site is closed down.

The council also claims the cost of providing the service could rise from £268,000 to £400,000 by 2010 if no action was taken but this ignores any changes to charges which could be introduced should the service be retained in house.