Letter: Why is meals service facing cuts?

Letter: If one is to believe the press reports on the Meals on Wheels provision, the outcome is far from clear.

Firstly though, I would like to ask how, or indeed why, Shropshire Council got into such an unfortunate position.

Reading of the decision at the budget meeting last Thursday, it does appear that the administration keeled over, agreed not to withdraw £200,000 from the Meal on Wheels budget and the leader placed on record the fact that the service would not be cut.

Am I missing something? Has the administration not got 54 of the 74 seats on Shropshire Council and if we are now to understand that they do not support the Meals on Wheels service being reduced in any way, how have we reached this stage?

Some users of the service have already received calls about hot meals versus frozen meals. Providers have been put on the alert as to whether their contracts will be renewed.

Are we to believe that all the while this has been going on the administration had no intention of cutting back on the Meals on Wheels service?

Could someone please explain who is running the council, the officers or members? Either way, it is time to get a hold of the situation.

However, I am rather sceptical after reading comments from Councillor Simon Jones, cabinet member for adult services, when he said: "We need to be clear this is not about removing services from anyone. Using the delivery of frozen meals means that the quality and choice of food on offer is much better than the traditional hot meals."

This issue has not died a death, a review of the Meals on Wheels service is to continue and will consider how many people need meals or other services and what savings can be made. I hope this review will be thorough, fair and be governed by the needs of our elderly and will be open to public scrutiny.

Elizabeth Yeomans

Chelmarsh