An Angus councillor has apologised for making misleading comments in the ongoing row over the community meals service.
The row was sparked after social work and health convener Glennis Middleton said at a public meeting in Forfar that there had been “the widest possible consultation” between service users and staff prior to the impending cuts to meals on wheels being rubber-stamped.
However, that claim was angrily disputed by staff and the relatives of service users, who said there had been “no consultation at all”.
Forfar councillor Mrs Middleton had been on annual leave when the row blew up and she returned to work to face claims of a council cover-up over the cuts.
She has now taken steps to clarify her comments, which the council had earlier described as “unfortunate”.
In a statement issued to The Courier, Mrs Middleton said: “I apologise if I misled anyone with the use of the word ‘consultation’ in regards to the recent review of the community meals service. This was certainly not my intention.
“In November the council undertook a survey of every person in Angus who received community meals to get their views about the service and, in referring to this survey, I perhaps should have been clearer in my choice of wording.
“I can assure service users that we will now meet with each of them to assess their needs, and that the council will continue to provide quality meals which meet the best nutritional standards.”
A meals on wheels source had also previously told The Courier that employees had been informed of the coming cuts up to 18 months ago but Mrs Middleton said: “I can categorically state that this was not the case.
“The review into the community meals service was undertaken from November to February, and it is simply untrue that the council held discussions about this with anyone any earlier.”
At the moment the council delivers approximately 3,500 hot meals to the homes of around 450 residents every week.
Recipients can choose to have a hot meal delivered to their home at lunchtime, in the evening, or both. The council is cutting that service to the delivery of one meal during the day, which will come with a sandwich for the resident to have for dinner.