Council workers in Caerphilly are gearing up for protests against the local authority’s proposed cuts to services, including the meal deliveries for the elderly. Caerphilly County Borough Council announced plans to discontinue the Meals Direct service and outsource it to an external provider due to financial constraints. The authority is also considering mothballing iconic sites like Llancaiach Fawr Manor and the Blackwood Miners’ Institute to address its financial challenges. These cost-saving measures are deemed essential as the council aims to achieve savings of approximately £45 million over the next two years.
The Meals Direct service, which provides around 125,000 meals annually to 320 individuals, costs £444,000 per year to operate. Similarly, the upkeep of the Blackwood Miners’ Institute and Llancaiach Fawr Manor costs £347,000 and £485,000 respectively annually. The consultation period for these proposals concluded on Tuesday, September 10, with the authority now reviewing feedback from residents. The council’s cabinet is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, September 25, to evaluate the responses and make a final decision.
Local residents have expressed concern and opposition to the planned cuts. Users of the meal delivery service, such as 87-year-old Margaret Rees, have highlighted the vital support it provides to those in need. With no family and limited mobility, Rees described the service as her lifeline. Employees from the affected services, including caterers, drivers, and helpers, are set to join forces with staff from Llancaiach Fawr and the Blackwood Miners’ Institute in protests outside the council’s headquarters on September 24 and 25.
The leader of the council, Sean Morgan, recently announced a postponement in the decision regarding the miners’ institute to seek legal advice on its charitable status. The potential closures have sparked community outrage, with thousands signing petitions and hundreds marching in protest. Unison Caerphilly branch secretary Lianne Dallimore emphasised the significant impact these closures would have on local residents and urged the council to reconsider its plans.
Despite the challenges faced by the council, Councillor Morgan acknowledged the difficult decisions ahead to achieve budgetary balance. Updates on the fate of Llancaiach Fawr and the Meals Direct Service are expected post the cabinet meeting next week, with more service reviews anticipated in the future. The council encourages community engagement to help shape the delivery of services moving forward.
In conclusion, the proposed cuts in services by Caerphilly County Borough Council have stirred emotions and mobilised local workers and residents to voice their concerns. The imminent protests reflect a community united in opposing changes that could drastically impact vulnerable individuals and cherished cultural sites. As the council navigates financial pressures, the balancing act between fiscal responsibility and community welfare remains a delicate yet crucial task.