Improvements are on the way to give people more choice in the meals provided by Essex County Council's Meals on Wheels service.

The news came after a meeting of the council's social services community care sub-committee last week.

They aim to secure the long term future of the county wide scheme as well as improving the service provided and the choice available.

The main options being looked at are continuing with the current system of hot meal delivery by 12 different providers, having deliveries carried out by one single provider across the county, delivering frozen meals direct to people's homes or hot meal delivery by a van which heats the dinners in transit.

Head of Community Care, Robin Rennie, said: "This is not a cost-saving exercise.

"We want to improve the choice available to people, ensure those people who need help in preparing their food get help and make sure that these people who want to make their own decisions about when they eat and what they eat can do so.

"We are very heartened by the approach that district councils have taken in wanting to look at positive development in the meals on wheels service."

A Council spokesman said: "The directorate is responsible for assessing people to decide if they need meals on wheels and delivery is carried out on its behalf by district and borough councils in Essex and voluntary organisations such as the Women's Royal Voluntary Service.

"Meeting will now be held with representatives from the other authorities to look at ways forward and strengthen partnerships already in place. A report of discussion will go back to members in March."

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