A SENIOR Liberal Democrat councillor claims residents were not consulted on plans to end lunchtime meals at four York sheltered housing schemes.

Cllr Nigel Ayre said City of York Council claimed last week that “a period of consultation” had taken place with affected residents over the changes at Gale Farm Court, Barstow House, Glen Lodge and Marjorie Waite Court. but residents had said the plans had come out of the blue.

He said officers had since confirmed they had no written notes of any consultation and he believed it was clear there had been no formal consultation process, which was an 'unacceptable and unfair' way to treat such vulnerable residents.

Paul Edmondson-Jones, Director of Health and Wellbeing, said senior officers had met tenants and carers in May and June this year to make them aware that use of the service was falling and the service now needed an annual council subsidy of around £50,000, which meant it was unsustainable and would have to cease.

He added that staff had been holding further one-to-one meetings with some of the more vulnerable tenants to formally assess their individual needs and there had also been communal drop-in sessions with housing staff, tenants and their families to ensure all tenants were fully aware of the changes taking place.