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Trade union body Unison has welcomed the council’s decision to keep the Meals Direct service, but condemned the ‘mothballing’ of Llancaiach Fawr.

At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday September 25, senior councillors voted to keep the “lifeline” meals on wheels service, but stuck to original plans to close the Tudor mansion in Nelson.

Ahead of the votes, union members at Caerphilly County Borough Council gathered outside the offices in Tredomen alongside members of the public to oppose cuts to services.

Lianne Dallimore, Unison’s Caerphilly branch secretary, said: “It was the right choice to retain the hot meals service on which hundreds of elderly residents depend.

“The decision to mothball the Llancaiach Fawr living museum against its own recommendations is a devastating blow for staff and the local community. But the campaign to save local services is by no means over.

“Local communities deeply value these services, and the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to keep them going.”

Whilst Meals Direct was saved, the council’s staff canteen, The Hive, was axed as part of cost-saving measures.

On that decision, Ms Dallimore said: “It’s bitterly disappointing that the council failed to see the potential for the Hive restaurant.“

The proposals formed part of a cost-cutting plan which the council hopes can help plug a £45 million budget gap over the next two years.

Senior councillors have frequently defended the moves as “difficult” but necessary, given the wider financial picture.

The future of Blackwood Miners’ Institute still remains unclear, as the council is currently taking legal advice before making a decision.

Additional reporting by the Local Democracy Reporting Service