THE price of meals-on-wheels in Gloucestershire is to remain frozen for the foreseeable future, it has been announced.

Gloucestershire County Council’s contract with Royal Voluntary Service to provide hot and frozen meals to older and vulnerable people across the county is due to expire in March next year.

But, although the council will need to prepare a new contract either with the RVS or a new provider, it has committed to keep the price at £3.50 per meal to ensure service users are not disadvantaged.

Through the service Gloucestershire County Council provides community meals for vulnerable people, particularly elderly residents who live alone, 365 days a year. This is despite the council not being legally required to provide community meals and many other authorities scrapping similar services in recent years.

Cabinet member for older people Cllr Dorcas Binns said it was hoped the service would help elderly residents stay in their own homes as much as possible.

“It’s great that we’ve been able to fix the price at the current rate and that will remain for the life of the new contract,” she said.

“This is one of the ways that the county council is working to help the most vulnerable people in Gloucestershire, despite the tough savings we have to make.”

Under the plans some residents will continue to receive meals in their own homes, but others will be signposted to other providers such as luncheon clubs.

The council is due to vote on going out for tender on a new five year contract next week.