Meals-on-wheels service 'is safe'

The future of a Black Country meals-on-wheels service has been guaranteed after more than a year-and-a-half of uncertainty.

The service in Sandwell is currently provided jointly by the council and private company Apetito.

Back in 2006 Sandwell Council announced plans to turn over the entire service to the private company, putting around 20 jobs in jeopardy. However, at the eleventh hour 18 months ago, the plan was put on hold for a "service review" to be carried out.

Now the council has decided to move the entire service in-house and has apologised for the "confusion".

After closing four care homes last year, the council said that demand in the community is growing and has said it will inject £150,000 into the service, which currently costs £500,000 a year to run.

Currently 250 people have meals-on-wheels delivered, with 180 getting hot meals from the council and 70 getting frozen food from Apetito. Now all food will come directly from Sandwell Council.

Councillor Darren Cooper, adult services boss, is set to formally approve the decision next week.

He said: "I must apologise for the confusion that there has been in the past regarding meals-on-wheels. Jobs within the meals-on-wheels service are safe.

"We were at a point some time ago where we were concerned about the quality of meals that were being delivered, particularly to those whose were being delivered last. That is why plans to transfer the service were considered.

"However, since then there has been a big change in technology, enabling us not only to keep food piping hot when it is being delivered, but also to offer a choice, rather than giving everyone exactly the same meals.

"The plans to privatise were made before I took on this role and I am delighted that we are able to keep the service in-house."

The meals are all made at the Tanhouse Centre in West Bromwich.

Meals-on-wheels cost users £3 a day for a main course and dessert, subsidised by Sandwell Council.