Fears over OAPs missing out on meals

Pensioners and vulnerable people in the Wyre Forest district could be missing out on meals after cutbacks of £276,500, an inquiry has found.

A report into the cutback by Worcestershire County Council has raised concern "about the long-term effect on the morale and health of tenants at very sheltered housing schemes".

The cutbacks made on June 30 saw a subsidy to very sheltered housing schemes for hot meals axed.

Council chiefs said anyone eligible still receives meals from housing associations or through the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS).

But councillors who drew up the report said they were "particularly concerned about those people finding it difficult to cook or reheat meals for themselves or where alternative local meal facilities were scarce."

Around 270,000 dinners are served each year to pensioners and vulnerable adults. Many of them are delivered by the WRVS.

The report, to be discussed by the council's cabinet on December 18, claims that some housing associations are struggling to maintain schemes.

Wyre Forest District councillor Jill Fairbrother-Millis said: "Some people will welcome the changes but we are concerned about those who will not understand."