THE hot meals-on-wheels service in York could be under threat, it was claimed today.

A senior councillor told the Evening Press that social services chiefs may switch to a frozen meals service, and toughen up the eligibility criteria for receiving them, to save cash.

The charity that delivers the meals today warned that its delivery service would end if the frozen option was chosen.

A report detailing proposals to reshape home care services will be presented to City of York Council's executive member and advisory panel for social services and health on January 12.

Coun Sandy Fraser, adult social services spokesman for the council's opposition Labour group, said: "I have recently had a discussion on this with Keith Martin, the council's head of adult social services, and there is a proposal to move to frozen meals.

"The Labour group are not against frozen meals in principle. Obviously it raises questions on how they are going to be heated in people's homes - there should be some provision for people who can't do that.

"Each year the council has to consider its eligibility criteria. Clearly the Liberal Democrats will be looking at the budget over the next couple of months.

"The criteria has been maintained at its current level for a number of years now and we would oppose any change."

There are four levels of need covered under the criteria: critical, substantial, moderate and low. Currently, the council provides care for those with needs assessed as moderate to critical.

The meals-on-wheels service is provided by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS), whose members collect the meals from council care homes and deliver them to people's homes.

The WRVS has about 100 volunteers and about 150 service-users, receiving approximately 930 hot meals a month.

A WRVS spokeswoman said: "The WRVS don't do frozen meals. We don't tender for council services which provide only frozen meals.

"A mixed service gives the service-users human interaction with the volunteers. That meeting breaks up the routine of a monotonous life - it really isn't just about food.

"Volunteers have bonds that have been developed over a number of years. Users know and trust them."

Jo Bennett, the WRVS's charity manager, said: "It is a council decision and we have only recently been informed about it.

"We are naturally very disappointed and we are in discussions about the future of the service.

"As to what and when it will happen, that is not decided yet. In the meantime, the service will continue with full commitment from the WRVS volunteers and employees."

But Coun Sue Galloway, the Liberal Democrat executive member for social services, said: "I don't know what will be in the report. There are no proposals to change the eligibility criteria as far as I know."

A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "Proposals regarding the council's meals service will go to the social services and health advisory panel this month. Members will have a number of choices about how the service develops in the future."

Updated: 10:04 Wednesday, January 04, 2006