Council shortlisted

COUNCIL chiefs have been shortlisted for a top award for the way they handled the controversial scrapping of the meals on wheels service.

Rotherham Borough Council's Consultation Cafe has been nominated in the regional Making a Difference awards.

The council is among five authorities on a shortlist in the Making Connections section for consultation and putting ideas together.

But former councillor Irene Furnell, who campaigned to keep the council-run service, blasted: "They really do take the biscuit don't they ?

"This lot could put a frill on a dustbin and convince themselves it was art—they make me so angry."

The council's innovations manager Tom Sweetman, was delighted by the news, sending out a message of congratulation.

Mr Sweetman says that the council has kept all its promises on ending the service, which was replaced by private providers.

And Cllr Reg Littleboy said: "Despite the so-called opposition we appear to be getting something right."

Mr Sweetman claimed that the meals service was now the best in the country and that all customers had chosen one of the new providers, with complaints totalling just two.