Angus meals on wheels is moving to a single location in Forfar following a council shake-up of the service.
The community service currently dishes up around 2,500 meals every week from kitchens at Fairlie House in Kirriemuir and Friockheim’s Lunan Park, but both have been declared unfit for purpose by council chiefs.
The authority previously authorised a tender as part of a logistics hub plan, but the quotes were substantially above funds available and new options were examined.
Strategic director Margo Williamson told social work and health committee councillors: “Various options have been considered for a new community meals depot but all have been untenable due to cost or effectiveness issues.”
“The current proposal will utilise part of an existing Angus Council building, making effective use of the council’s existing property assets.”
The move to County Buildings will leave the Friockheim premises empty and surplus to requirements. It is one of a long list of properties which the council is looking to offload.
The director added: “This change of depot will not affect the current staff compliment.
“It will, however, mean that some staff will have to travel to get to their base. In these circumstances any affected staff will be compensated under Angus Council’s excess travel allowance scheme.
“A review of the management arrangements is currently being undertaken to ensure that we have the correct model for the new meals depot,” continued the director.
“The removal of the facility from Lunan Park and Fairlie House will result in reduced property costs. These available budgets can be re-allocated to County Buildings to offset any additional property costs arising as a result of the community meals service being located within this building.”
Costs associated with the move will be in the region of £300,000, more than half of which involves work to the County Buildings, including a replacement roof.
Social work and health convener Councillor Glennis Middleton said: “It makes perfect sense to have this on one site.”