MEMBERS of Farnham Town Council have expressed anxiety about the future of the Meals on Wheels Service which has been threatened with closure due to the withdrawal of its funding.

Farnham Town Council’s Wellbeing Task Group recently discussed the issues of Meals on Wheels in Farnham, and the reduced kitchen facilities in the proposed refurbished Memorial Hall with one of the longstanding Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) team members.

They highlighted that the wellbeing of older people who received a regular visit and meal was of great importance. Jeremy Ricketts informed those present that there were problems of bed blocking in hospitals which was causing a real problem and was costly.

Therefore this service ensured people could be discharged more quickly as there would be hot meals and regular visits. However the funding is at risk from September this year following decisions by Surrey County Council and statements made by the borough council.

Council leader John Ward said: “There appears to be two potential difficulties, firstly is the possible withdrawal of funding, which could prove extremely unfortunate if not terminal to that particular service.

“I am quite sure Farnham Town Council would like to help with that matter but it appears that the costings would be between three and six per cent of our budget, and that rather seems too much for our ratepayers to absorb.

“So, I am not going to recommend going down that route.

“The second thing is a lack of, or a probable lack of kitchen facilities and this is something where we could help, and we could certainly facilitate discussions between RVS and potential suppliers such as schools, and public houses which we know are very cooperative as in the recent toilet initiative or care homes.

“There is a degree of uncertainty there but I think we would all like to see some form of meal delivery and some form of visit, if you like, to the frail and elderly of Farnham.”

Carole Cockburn noted that Waverley is carrying out an in-depth review across the services as they speak.

John Fraser had no great faith in the speed of Waverley to reach a conclusion. And the longer it takes, the more likely it is that volunteer drivers will go and do other things, such as taking elderly patients to hospital.

“And the likelihood is they won’t come back, so when we finally get round to making up our minds about what we are going to do about Meals on Wheels, there will be no delivery system”

He then asked members that every effort be made to come to a decision as swiftly as possible.

The two recommendations to support the continued provision of a daily visit for people in receipt of Meals on Wheels; and to offer to support a solution in discussion with RVS, principal authorities and others to ensure a service is continued, were agreed by council members.