'Meals on wheels' to be wound down in massive community services overhaul in Surrey borough amid a 'smokescreen of shifting responsibility'

Elmbridge Borough Council said it is putting forward a new model of community services focussed on health and wellbeing for the whole area.

But opposition councillors have attacked the council for “using the smokescreen of shifting responsibility” to permanently close community centres.

On July 14, Elmbridge’s cabinet will consider an extensive and far-reaching reimagining of community support in the borough as part of a new model.

Under the new framework, day-to-day running of services will be shifted to voluntary-led, charity of Community Interest Companies (CIC).

The council could make crucial changes including:

• Establishing a team of so-called ‘Local Area Coordinators’ to make support plans for vulnerable residents to ensure they get the help they need.
• Commissioning a local voluntary sector organisation to provide support and training to the sector, increase funding being brought into the borough, train local volunteers as community connectors to ensure people are signposted to the support they need.
• No longer directly operating the six community centres; Instead, the voluntary sector would step in and provide a range of community spaces for people with a broader spectrum of needs.
• Winding down the meals on wheels service. Current Meals on Wheels clients will be the first priority for the new organisers to help them receive more holistic support and transition to alternative food and wellbeing provision, the council said.
• Looking at funding for the council’s dementia care to become a charity or Community Interest Company and develop a full business plan.
• Continue to deliver community transport while exploring the potential to align with Surrey County Council’s Surrey Connect model to create a more effective community transport offer.

Cllr John Cope, Conservative Leader of the Opposition on Elmbridge Borough Council, said: “After years of concern about the future of our community centres, the worst has been confirmed: the Liberal Democrats that run Elmbridge are planning to permanently stop running all the community centres.

“This comes after centres were closed due to serious health and safety failings caused by the council’s neglect.

“The council is using the smokescreen of shifting responsibility onto local volunteers and charities, hoping they’ll somehow buy and run these vital spaces.

“We’ve seen this before with the closure of the Thames Ditton Centre where promises of ‘community ownership’ paved the way for a commercial company instead.

“Local Conservatives have consistently opposed these £1 million cuts to essential services like Meals on Wheels, which so many elderly and low-income families rely on.

“The funding exists, what’s missing is the political will to prioritise community care.”

After what the council has claimed is “the most comprehensive community engagement and consultation in the 51 years” of its existence, it has realised the current model of support is dated and is not reaching enough of those in need in Elmbridge.

A statement read: “We are helping less than one per cent of the Elmbridge population, but nearly 12 per cent of our residents are facing real challenges to living well.”

Documents reveal that community services currently account for around 20 per cent of the council’s overall budget while it is not being used by everyone.

It added: “Around the country, the evidence is clear that a model of prevention and connection works – more people are supported, more people feel connected to their community and more people thrive.

“We want to help our community to live well.”

Elmbridge’s six community centres have historically looked after the elderly members of the community, but now the council wants to expand its support to young people, unpaid carers and low-income families.

Thames Ditton saw the exchange and transformation of the community centre into Vital Village (CIC) last year, with a community fridge, wellbeing activities and wrap-around childcare.

As Surrey moves towards local government reorganisation, Elmbridge and other councils will be looking at making changes to services which can potentially last into the future.

Around £1m is hoped to be saved from streamlining the council’s support as the focus shifts.

Council documents state approximately £700k of the implementation budget has been allocated to support community groups and charities, helping them to lease or purchase one of the centres to develop into a community hub.