The cost of receiving a two-course meal from Rhondda Cynon Taf’s meals on wheels service is set to rise under new plans.
Bosses say proposals to increase the price for the service are being considered because of rising food and energy costs - on top of financial pressures all councils in Wales face next year.
The council said that the preferred option would increase the two course meal price by 50p to £4.55, which it said is still a “competitive price” in comparison with neighbouring councils and private providers. Under this option staff would continue to check on people’s welfare which could include help with plates if needed.
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Meals on wheels, or the Community Meals Service as it is formally known, delivers subsidised, meals to adults in their homes.
On Tuesday, November 29, the council's cabinet will consider a report outlining four options for the future of the service. They will be asked to agree to consult on a preferred option to keep the service with an increase in the daily charge and changes to the way the service is delivered. The other options include continuing the service as it currently operates with increased charges by 50p, £1 or £1.50 per meal.
Another option is the same but to go ahead with price increases as well as re-organise the existing internal service - which could save up to £489,000 per year. The final option was to end the service and help people find other providers - a move that would save the most money but would likely to be highly controversial.
The council said that increased financial pressures on councils have brought significant challenges into the medium term, and that “remodelling key services will contribute to addressing the estimated budget gap” faced by the council following the UK Chancellor’s autumn financial statement.
Local authority officials say that home deliveries have declined since the pandemic started - citing several factors including more choice of "third sector providers" and food delivery services, free transport to supermarkets as well as some service users dying. Figures show that deliveries were 145,694 in 2020/21. The projected total for this year is estimated to be 120,047.
Councillor Rhys Lewis, the council’s cabinet member for education, youth participation and the Welsh language, said: “In response to the public spending challenges we face next year with increased service demand, food and energy inflation in addition to rising cost pressures across service areas, four options for the future of the Community Meals Service will be considered by cabinet next week. We do not underestimate the importance of this service in supporting some of our most vulnerable residents, of which 86% are more than 70 years old; and this is why the preferred option proposes to retain the service.
“The preferred option would allow a hot meal service to continue for vulnerable residents, offer a frozen meal option should the resident wish, while it would retain important contact with service users. It would deliver a significant annual saving of £427,000 per year. The preferred option would increase meal costs by 50p to enable to service to continue to operate in the current financial climate, and despite this increase still remains very competitive when compared to private providers and neighbouring local authorities.
“Not all councils run a Community Meals service, and the preferred option would retain ours here in Rhondda Cynon Taf, ensuring it as a worthwhile service for users while ensuring it remains viable for the council. If agreed by cabinet on Tuesday, a comprehensive consultation would be undertaken where service users, carers, providers, staff and stakeholders can have their say on what is proposed, to inform a final decision by cabinet in the future.”
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