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09:26 - 26-June-2008
For the last 18 months 85-year-old Patricia Whitwam, of Old Chapel Yard, Church Street, has been brought hot lunches by a volunteer from the WRVS.
However the charity has pulled the plug, blaming a new parking enforcement system.
As volunteers have to park on double yellow lines to make deliveries to her, it fears parking tickets will be imposed.
Mrs Whitwam is the only person to be told she can no longer have deliveries.
Charity spokesman Roger Benney said: “My personal experience is the wardens are intolerant.
“It is not really fair to ask our volunteers to park and get a ticket for doing their job.”
The decision has left the family angry and struggling to find an alternative solution.
Poor health means Mrs Whitwam is unable to make meals for herself. She is unable to even heat food.
Susan Mitchell, her daughter, said: “She has been deprived of an essential service.
“She is the first victim of official intransigence in Falmouth and will not be the last if the issue is not effectively addressed.
“Institutional failure to meet essential needs of an elderly person is further evidence of growing bureaucratic indifference to basic welfare.
“My mother deserves some dignity and respect in her declining years.
“She did her wartime service in the Wrens, paid her taxes and worked hard all her life.”
With the help of social services, Mrs Mitchell has managed to make temporary arrangements for a carer to collect meals from the Kings Head pub for her mother each day.
Mr Benney said the situation has implications for anyone delivering a service to housebound people.
He said: “We are given five minutes grace, but that is not long enough and it is frustrating.
“Members of the public ring to ask for a meal and we now have to check about parking.
“I have written to all the Meals on Wheels organisers and explained the situation and asked them to let me know if there is anyone who could be affected.
“It is not just about Meals on Wheels, but affects books on wheels, hospital transport or anyone who delivers services to housebound people.”
Parking enforcement is now run through the local authority and wardens have been employed by Carrick District Council.
Andy Beckett, operations officer for parking services with Carrick, said: “There is leeway for services and I don't have an issue with it.
“If they do park somewhere that is dangerous they would get a ticket.
“There is also a robust appeals procedure if you do get ticketed.”
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POST OFFICES are a lifeline in rural areas and should not be a political football. Our local PO is a MUST and can survive with the support of local people. The mood/swing is away from LARGE DICTATORIAL outlets.Times they are a changing.
