Wirral axes WRVS in new deal for meals on wheels

Jan 28 2008 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

WIRRAL’S Meals on Wheels service has had its 25-year link to the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service axed after the charitable organisation was undercut by a Lancashire-based business.

Wirral Council has announced it has awarded the ICare Group the contract, leaving the WRVS’s volunteers unneeded from June, 2008.

Wirral Conservative group leader Cllr Jeff Green said it was a “devastating blow to the volunteers who have been the face of the key service for so long”.

He also said his group was likely to call in the decision, which would mean it would undergo further scrutiny.

Cllr Green also attacked Wirral’s ruling Labour-Liberal Democrat cabinet, who he said had decided to pass on the full cost of meals, meaning users would face an increase in the price.

He added: “This seems to be a backwards step, taken by Labour and Liberal Democrats who know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.”

The WRVS has 175 volunteers and 12 staff, who have run the service 365 days a year including Christmas, delivering 150,000 meals to around 400 people.

Cllr Green said: “The volunteers do so much more than just deliver meals – and this decision means all that hidden value provided by them will disappear.”

A spokeswoman for the WRVS said they were “extremely disappointed” at the council’s decision.

She added: “Naturally, the charity is very concerned about the disappointment of volunteers and staff and we are actively making arrangements to discuss the way forward, including alternative volunteering opportunities with all those involved with Wirral Meals on Wheels.”

Wirral Council’s cabinet member for Adult Social Care and Inclusion, Cllr Moira McLaughlin, said: “The council is responsible for ensuring value for money for the taxpayer in addition to ensuring that an excellent meals on wheels service is delivered to some of our most vulnerable people. Accordingly, the contract for meals on wheels was put out to tender.

“Two providers submitted a tender for the contract; the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) and ICare.

“While both tenders were of a high standard, ICare’s proposals offered high-quality and nutritious meals as well as excellent value for money.

“This contract has therefore been awarded to ICare for five years, commencing in June.

“Cabinet also recognised the contribution that the voluntary sector in general and the WRVS in particular, make in supporting vulnerable people.

“Officers were also asked to work with WRVS’s representatives to develop a befriending service for those people who have limited social contact.”

liammurphy