Council workers in Caerphilly are gearing up to protest against the authority’s proposed cuts to services, including the meal deliveries for the elderly. The Caerphilly County Borough Council revealed plans to discontinue its Meals Direct service by November, opting for an outsourced provider instead. Alongside this, the council intends to mothball cherished landmarks like Llancaiach Fawr Manor and the Blackwood Miners’ Institute in a bid to address financial challenges.
The council, facing significant financial strain, justifies these measures as essential cost-saving initiatives. To secure its future, the council aims to achieve savings amounting to £45 million over the next two years. The Meals Direct service, delivering approximately 125,000 meals annually to about 320 individuals, costs £444,000 per year to operate. Similarly, the annual expenses for running the Blackwood Miners’ Institute and Llancaiach Fawr Manor are £347,000 and £485,000, respectively.
Local residents have reacted with dismay to these proposals, with thousands signing a petition and hundreds rallying in protest. One service user, Margaret Rees, aged 87, expressed how reliant she is on the subsidised meal deliveries for her daily sustenance, calling it her “lifeline.” As tensions rise, council workers, service users, and supporters of Llancaiach Fawr and Blackwood Miners’ Institute are set to stage demonstrations outside the council’s headquarters over two days in opposition to the plans.
Council leader Sean Morgan has announced a delay in the decision regarding the miners’ institute to seek legal advice due to its charitable status. Criticism persists regarding the council’s approach, with concerns raised about the impact on the community and the promise to uphold the historical significance of these sites.
Unison Caerphilly’s branch secretary, Lianne Dallimore, emphasised the importance of local services and criticised the council’s proposals. The council’s forthcoming decisions will be a turning point for the community, as residents await the outcome of the cabinet meeting scheduled for next week. The protests highlight the public’s deep-rooted attachment to these facilities and the vital role they play in the community’s well-being.