CALLS are being made for the 'callous' axing of lunchtime meals in York sheltered housing schemes to be delayed to allow more time to find alternatives.

The Liberal Democrats claim the meals at Gale Farm Court, Barstow House, Glen Lodge and Marjorie Waite Court play a vital role in tackling social isolation.

But a ruling Labour councillor claims the authority has already been working very proactively with residents and their families to find alternative provision before the change to the service next week, with options including freshly cooked food made by a chef and served by volunteers.

The Press revealed earlier this month how about 70 residents would be affected by the scrapping of the discretionary lunchtime meals service. Some residents claimed afterwards they had not been properly consulted.

Lib Dem Westfield by-election candidate Andrew Waller said yesterday he was working with Gale Farm Court on alternative options and had written to the Labour Cabinet Member responsible, Cllr Linsay Cunningham-Cross, for more time to develop an alternative.

He also suggested a replacement service could be funded by the council selling Oliver House, which was currently standing empty but costing the authority £30,000 a year to maintain. Party colleague Nigel Ayre claimed the meal cut had been callous and made without even consulting vulnerable residents.

Cllr Cunningham-Cross said a number of alternative options had been considered, including freshly cooked food served by volunteers and ready meals, the quality of which had improved greatly and was far superior to sub-standard re-constituted meals many elderly residents had been receiving for far too long.

"This is an opportunity to change that and the key is it is up to residents and their families to choose what is best for them, not for the council to think it knows best," she said.

"Any change in the type of meals people choose does not need to change communal eating arrangements and I’m sure that this will continue."