County Council still hikes meals on wheels charges. But MP thanks campaigners for stopping 46% increase

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has thanked campaigners and AgeUK for working together to stop Cumbria County Council hiking meals on wheels charges by 46%. But Tim has criticised the County Council for insisting that they will still increase meal prices, albeit by a smaller amount, to £3.60.

The fees and charges policy agreed by Council in February 2013 included a reduction to the subsidy for community meals (meals on wheels) from 1 April

2013 which resulted in a massive 46% increase. In response to public feedback on the fees and charges schedule, a review has been undertaken and Cabinet recommends an increase in line with inflation consistent with the majority of other fees and charges increases.

This increases the cost of a meal to £3.60 for 2013/14. This requires a virement from the 2013/14 contingency to increase the Adult services budget by £0.030m.

The decision was made at this morning's Cumbria County Council cabinet meeting in Kendal. At the meeting councillors admitted they let it "slip past" them.

Tim said: "Today's announcement is welcome news and I'd like to thank AgeUK, campaigners and users of the service for their work. Together we stopped the 46% increase in prices. But I think increasing prices for meals on wheels at all, shows the priorities of the council - they have chosen to hit the vulnerable while spending millions on consultants at the same time."