Caerphilly Council are considering axing ‘Meals on Wheels’ and day services across the county.
The services, used mainly by the elderly and disabled, were discussed at a special meeting on July 17. One proposal was to cease provision of all day services.
At the start of June this year 811 people attended day care, provided by 179 employees, who could face redundancy under the proposals.
Day care is primarily used by people living independently in their own homes and completely cutting it would save £4.26m a year.
The council’s financial plan calls for savings of over £13m between 2015 and 2017 in order to balance the budget as part of the UK Government’s austerity drive.
The Welsh Government has warned there could be more funding cuts, and the worst case scenario would mean the council must save £16.7m between 2015 and 2017. This would take the total cuts to almost £30m.
A council report says cutting day care completely would likely lead to a greater demand for other services. Another option is to outsource the care to the third sector and private companies.
But trade union sources said councillors were worried that privatisation would not save cash.
Other options include reducing the number of centres and only allowing access to those with “substantial and critical needs”.
These options would save significantly less money and would make workers vulnerable to redundancy, according to the report.
‘Meals on Wheels’ could also be axed to save £252,000 a year, affecting 336 users of the council’s Meals Direct service.
Another option presented to councillors is increasing the cost of the service from £2.60 per meal to between £3.10 and £5.10, bringing Caerphilly into line with other Welsh local authorities.
Delivering frozen meals in bulk to residents is also an alternative.
A report presented to councillors warns that increasing the price or delivering frozen meals could mean less demand for the service – putting the financial viability of the service in question.
It said if the service was scrapped altogether, then the possibility of local delivery from cafés and pubs would need to be explored.
Seven other councils in Wales are also considering scrapping their ‘Meals on Wheels’ service.
On CaerphillyObsever.co.uk, Caerphilly town councillor, Richard Williams, said: “At a cost per user of less than £15 per week we are helping people to remain in their own homes, rather than having to move them to an institution where the cost is typically more than £700 per week.
“I think the council should look first at a modest price increase and leave the service intact. This would cut the expenditure required and not produce any new costs arising from the scrapping of this service.”
However, Caerphilly Labour Party warned “speculative scare mongering” in the media about possible cuts was “premature”.
Council Leader, Cllr Keith Reynolds, said: “At this stage, these are proposals for consideration, along with many others.
“No final decisions will be taken until February 2015 – after full consultation.
“We hope that as many residents as possible will consider the proposals for savings and give us feedback on their priorities for future council service provision.”
A Labour group spokesperson said: “Ultimately very hard choices must be made and we put the blame for cuts in council services squarely at the door of the Tory-led Westminster government, which has savagely cut our Welsh Government’s grant”.
Plaid Cymru group leader, Colin Mann, said: “We recognise the need for the council to look at the way ‘Meals on Wheels’ are delivered but it is essential in any proposals that people who are in need receive a decent meal during the day time.
“The way the Labour Party can stop media speculation about a range of possible cuts is to be honest, open and upfront about what is proposed for a range of council services. And that needs to happen as soon as possible.”
This petition calls for councillors money to be scrapped and given re-imbursement like magistrates:
https://www.assembly
wales.org/epetition-
list-of-signatories.
htm?pet_id=1031
https://www.assemblywales.org/epetition-list-of-signatories.htm?pet_id=1031
Here we go again, yet another vital service facing the axe by your caring sharing local Labour council……..meanwhile over in Bargoed, how’s that £7million cinema coming along.
Now, that`s the way to do it!!!, starve the elderly. Whatever next?????
Can anyone, preferably an elected member or a responsible officer of he Caerphilly council, tell us if the canteen facilities provided at various locations in the council, is still being subsidised by the ratepayer of the borough??? We know they used to be, if they are no longer, when did it cease to be the case? This was at a time the Caerphilly council made a net profit on meal on wheels from the pensioners and disabled pockets, the balance of funds was spent to provide a susidy for office canteens and dinning rooms.
How much do we continue to spend, the ratepayers of the borough that is, for Councillor Hospitality? How much is spent by the council on quasi robot street wardens to run around the borough in vehicles we, the ratepayers pay for, anyone know?. I thought the clue was in the Job title Street Warden????
The ‘Meals on Wheels’ service is an important element in
supporting those elderly who are suffering from illness, chronic or acute, to
live at home. As well as a nourishing meal it provides an additional daily
caller to see if all is well or whether there is a deterioration in circumstances. The psychological benefit, to the user, is difficult to measure but surely a friendly face bringing warm food is a massive psychological boost
for those feeling unwell or having difficulty managing to prepare their own
food?
I know the council has to find areas to cut back but I really wonder whether this is the right one to pick. At a cost per user of less than £15 per week we are helping people to remain in their own homes, rather than having to move them to an institution where the cost is typically more than £700 per week.
I think the council should look first at a modest price increase and leave the service intact. This would cut the expenditure required and not produce any new costs arising from the scrapping of this service.
I think, like Paul, that what the Council ought to do is sell the Bargoed cinema complex as a “going” concern to defray general costs, then decide what reductions they still need to make. Just how a so-called progressive Council, their words not mine, could even contemplate such a hair-brained scheme, I will never know. Earlier in the year I mentioned that some Councillors are purported to be stronger than others and maybe that has been the case here but what exactly does that say about the other Councillors?
http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/11358422.Caerphilly_council_gets_new_interim_chief/
Geraint williams petition: Scrap Local Government Councillors’ Salaries
We call on the National Assembly for Wales to urge the Welsh Government to scrap Councillors’ salaries. With cuts to public services and increases in council tax it is right that councillors share the burden by having their salaries scrapped and replaced with payments of reimbursement only, much like magistrates. This will help to make savings in expensive local democracy.
https://www.assemblywales.org/epetition-list-of-signatories.htm?pet_id=1031
They got money to pay the suspended CEO and the new CEO yet they treat the elderly and vulnerable like this and then pass car parking charges in pen-y-fan pond:
Here is a report and the people who voted for it:
Cabinet – 16.07.2014
CABINET
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT PENALLTA HOUSE, TREDOMEN,
ON WEDNESDAY, 16TH JULY 2014 AT 2.00 PM
PRESENT: Councillor K.V. Reynolds – Leader
Councillors:
Mrs C. Forehead (HR and Governance/Business Manager), D.T. Hardacre (Performance and Asset Management), K. James (Regeneration, Planning and Sustainable Development),Mrs R. Passmore (Education and Lifelong Learning), D.V. Poole (Community and Leisure Services), R. Woodyatt (Social Services), T.J. Williams (Highways, Transportation and Engineering).
Together with: S.A. Rosser (Interim Chief Executive), Mrs S. Aspinall (Acting Deputy Chief Executive),Mrs N. Scammell (Acting Director Corporate Services and S.151 Officer), D. Street (Corporate Director Social Services).
Also in Attendance: P. Elliott (Head of Regeneration and Planning), T. Shaw (Head of Engineering Services), H. Morgan (Team Leader Integrated Transport Unit), G. Evans (Interim Manager, Community Education), S. Harris (Acting Head of Corporate Finance), C. Jones (Head of Performance and Property), R. Roberts (Performance Manager), S.M. Kauczok (Committee Services Officer).
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Mrs B. Jones (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services) and Councillor G. Jones (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing).
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
3. MINUTES
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 2nd July 2014 (minute nos. 1-8; page nos. 1-4) be approved and signed as a correct record.
Cabinet – 16.07.2014
2 MATTERS ON WHICH EXECUTIVE DECISIONS WERE REQUIRED
4. INTRODUCTION OF CAR PARKING CHARGES AT COUNTRY PARKS
The report sought approval to proceed with the introduction of car parking charges at five country parks following the advertising of the Caerphilly County Borough Council Traffic Regulation Order. Car parking charges at country parks were agreed indicative proposals as part of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP). They have now been advertised as required by regulations and the report outlines the responses received to the consultation. Given the level of public response it had been decided that the matter should be reported to Cabinet to decide whether or not the charges should be confirmed.
The proposals have been advertised and the public consultation has been completed. On the advice of Legal Services the consultation period was extended by a week to allow for the Easter holidays and to ensure the public had adequate time to respond. Consultation ran between 3rd April and 2nd May 2014. The advertised charges for each of the parks is £1.00 for up to 2 hours or £3.00 for the day. Blue badge holders are allowed up to 3 hours for £1.00, this being in accordance with the concession previously approved by the Council.
Season tickets will be available at a cost of £50.00 for 1 year (or £25.00 for 6 months).
The consultation has resulted in a significant number of objections. A total of 7 petitions were submitted (several were the same petition submitted in stages but each with different signatures) signed by over 2,800 persons. In addition there were 124 letters of objection and numerous comments made on social media.
Councillor C.P. Mann had been granted permission by the Leader of Council to address Cabinet on behalf of local objectors to the proposals. Councillor Mann read out a detailed statement prepared by objectors, setting out the reasons why they believed car parking at country parks should be free of charge and requesting further information in relation to the costs of implementing the scheme. Reference was made in particular to the negative impact
the proposals would have on the health and well-being of residents and visitors to the area who use the country parks.
Mrs P. Elliott, Head of Regeneration and Planning, presented the officer’s report and responded in detail to all the issues raised. It was pointed out that should the car parking charges not be progressed or if they are amended there will be a financial impact on the ability of the Council and service to achieve the required budget savings. Should that be the case, Regeneration and Planning would incur a budget deficit equal to the estimated income of £85,000, which would need to be funded by other means.
Following consideration and discussion, it was moved and seconded that the recommendation in the report be approved. By a show of hands this was unanimously agreed.
RESOLVED that for the reasons set out in the report, officers proceed with the Road Traffic Order to introduce car parking charges at all country parks (as outlined in paragraph 4.4) as advertised.
As a social worker I value these services and can give you a first hand account of how well they benefit people. However, there’s an emphasis on saving jobs for the few and as a Councillor I think saving services for the many is more important.
I have seen excellent examples of how organizations like Age Concern can run centers that are more dynamic and more appealing to the service users. Widdershins in Pontypool is a prime example. The Alzheimers Society in Cardiff have a excellent day service and so does the British Legion in Barry – I’ve worked briefly in both as a student. All self sustained.
What do they have in common? Independence and the ability to attract funding and fund raise.
What I feel should happen with all services, if they face closure be they leisure centers or day centers there needs to be some sort of feasibility study into what community/3rd sector organizations can run them. Not transferring the service, but allowing someone else to occupy the building. From a social services perspective this also fits into the new Social Services and Well-being Act.
If the day center in Blackwood (my ward) faces closure, then I will do my damned hardest to replace it and lobby the council for use of the building they just closed. I will also advocate the same for any other service.