Anger at Meals on Wheels decision

Jul 4 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PENSIONERS who use the Meals on Wheels service say they are angry council officials claimed they had been consulted.

Since the Examiner revealed last week that the service would end, users have contacted us to say it was simply not true they had been told.

Frances Hepworth, 79, of Almondbury, said she had not been visited nor informed prior to a decision being made.

While Stephen Whiteley, of Lepton, whose parents Mavis and Kenneth rely on the service, said he was told in a phone call while on holiday in Greece that it would end.

And an engineer says the first his Honley mother knew of the service ending was when the council informed them afterwards.

Yet Kirklees Council remain adamant all were consulted.

When asked how many of the 50 service users were assessed and reviewed before the decision to end the service was made, a spokesman replied: “All the people receiving the service were assessed and reviewed, in accordance with our standard procedure.”

It is something Frances Hepworth disputes wholeheartedly.

Mrs Hepworth said: “Kirklees have again, without asking anyone, made their decision.

“They are just trying to save money, but I don’t see how they can.

“The girl who came to see me wondered aloud if the restaurant down the road would deliver, can you believe that?”