UNION bosses have expressed their disappointment over Bolton Council’s decision to privatise the borough’s meals service later this year.

The meals will soon be provided by private companies following a vote by councillors voted to axe the council’s in-house service, saving the town hall around £300,000 a year but costing service  users £2.36 more per meal.

Bolton Unison branch secretary Andrea Egan said she is “really disappointed” about the decision to end the council’s community meals service this autumn.

“The kitchen staff and the transport staff who provide and deliver the meals do a really great job, 365 days a year.

“The service these workers provide is really valued by not just by vulnerable service users, but also by their families, friends, social workers and other professionals too.

“It’s a service that not only offers a hot nutritious meal to people who really need it because they are vulnerable and maybe isolated, it also provides much needed human contact and peace of mind.

“These are things that you simply can’t put a price on.

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported the long running campaign to save meals on wheels including all those local councillors who voted to retain the service.

“We know that it’s been tough for our members following this in the press and on social media hoping for a more positive outcome. We all feel that the loss of this service will be a real loss to the town”.

Speaking earlier this month, executive cabinet member for adult social care Andy Morgan said the privatisation of the service is now planned for October.

He said: “There’s no rush because of the current situation we are in. We’ve got to have a discussion with the providers.

“We’re going to start that discussion next week and move it forward.

“I’ve really looked into this since I took over the portfolio. These products are so much more superior than the products we are currently providing.

“Yes, we did inherit the savings option from Labour, but we looked at it long and hard because it’s a difficult decision. It’s a far superior service.

“We will be watching it closely. We will be reviewing it in the future, going back to the service users to make sure everything’s okay and working with the provider to make sure it’s the best possible service.”