Bristol’s council is in a heated debate over a proposed 15% hike in meals on wheels charges, raising concerns for vulnerable residents’ access to food.
This proposal is part of a larger plan to help Bristol City Council save money. They’re facing a £52 million shortfall, and meals on wheels currently gets a £300,000 subsidy each year. If the fees go up by 15%, that would save the council about £100,000.
Cllr Kelvin Blake from Labour pointed out that the council should help cover some of these costs. He mentioned that if individuals had to pay for everything, it would be too much for them. He’s worried that this increase could lead to more people needing additional care later on, which would cost the council even more.
On the flip side, Cllr Lorraine Francis from the Greens argued that the increase wouldn’t leave anyone without support. She reassured everyone that the council would still subsidize meals for those in need. They’re not planning to stop helping people just because of this fee hike.
The council’s adult social care director, Mette Le Jakobsen, added that they’ve looked into this issue thoroughly. They serve around 300 people, with half getting meals through the Care Act. She explained that the fees haven’t been adjusted in a long time, and they need to catch up with rising costs.
In the end, they believe that a 15% increase is reasonable, especially since it’s less than a pound per meal. They’re trying to balance the budget while ensuring that everyone still gets the meals they need. It’s a tough situation, but they’re working on it.
