Welshpool meals on wheels saved by town council
Welshpool's meals on wheels service which was earmarked for closure next year has been saved after the town council agreed to take it over.
Welshpool Town Council will be taking over the service with the help of a team of volunteers.
The service was under threat due to Powys County Council budget cuts and had been earmarked for withdrawal at the end of the financial year.
But this week the town council agreed to take over the running of the service to ensure its continuation.
Welshpool deputy mayor Councillor Stephen Kaye said: "Due to Powys County Council budget restraints many services are under threat which can affect the community as a whole. Meals on Wheels is not just delivering meals but is also a social service where people have someone checking that they are OK on each visit.
"This is another positive move by the town council to ensure that services are protected and that what we see as essential services are retained.
"We have worked with Merle Harding, chairman of the volunteers for Meals on Wheels, and others to come up with a plan. We would like to continue working with the volunteers to deliver the service. We very much value and appreciate their hard work.
"The service will continue to be run by volunteers, with town council support, to ensure that the service is delivered in the best way possible.
"The cars provided by WR Davies and Ballards will continue to provide the transport for the service."
In May Powys County Council approved plans to end its meals service to plug a £40m budget gap by 2017.
Welshpool Town Council has already taken over services which were due to be cut by the county council or were under threat.
It has taken over the Tourist Information Centre, open spaces, flower beds, playgrounds and public toilets.
Merle Harding, chairman of the volunteers for Meals on Wheels, said: "This is great news for us. The need for meals on wheels for the community is so necessary."
The service currently provides 20 meals each week.
Town council clerk Robert Robinson said: "The service used to deliver much more but it dropped when people thought the service was closing. I suspect the number will rise again now the service will be continuing."
