Essex Meals On Wheels Service Saved

9 September 2014, 08:07 | Updated: 9 September 2014, 08:09

The Meals on Wheels service in Essex is not going to be scrapped but it will now cost users more.

The County Council launched a review into the future of the service back in May in response to "financial pressures facing the council and a falling number of service users".

Following that review and a consultation with people who use the service the Council has decided to keep it running stating "service users did not want to lose the service and believed that a full removal of the subsidy would result in the service being unaffordable".

As a result the Council has decided not to remove the subsidy but to increase the cost of meals by 25p to £4.20.

Essex County Councillor Anne Brown, cabinet member with responsibility for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: "The consultation showed us that MoW's customers really valued the service that is offered. I am delighted that we have been able to protect this service, allowing older residents across the county to have access to an affordable hot meal.

"ECC is faced with significant financial pressures and we have had to review the subsidy ECC currently pays towards these meals. From November we will reduce the subsidy ECC pays, resulting in a 25p increase in the cost of meals for service users. I believe this is a manageable increase for service users and ensures our MoW service remains low compared to the private market and other local authorities.

"Ultimately this is good news for MoW service users and shows we have truly listened to consultation feedback. MoW costs remain extremely low and affordable, and have only increased by 45p in the last 7 years."

The new prices will come into place on November 1st. Service users are being communicated to directly with details of the increase and anyone with concerns should contact their social worker or Social Care Direct on 0845 603 7630.