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The following factors formed the basis of the Working Party's consideration of the
problem:
(i) The WRVS fleet of 9 vehicles would be available within a Council scheme and
at present one of the vehicles appeares to need replacement. They are
restricted to some extent to certain areas but the Society would have no
objection to the employment of male drivers where necessary.
(ii) On WRVS experience in Bexley, 28—29 meal deliveries per 2 hour lunch
period was the reasonable maximum. Over a five-day week they could carry
about 1,270 meals.
(iii) Three existing Health and Welfare Department vehicles could be made available
over the mid-day period and they could deal with the remaining 430
meals per week.
(iv) Drivers and mates would have to be employed for varying times according to
how far the WRVS scheme falls short of a five-day delivery service. It was
suggested that retired ambulance drivers or bus drivers, or shift workers would
be very suitable as potential employees.
(v) A stand-by vehicle and relief driver would be required.
(vi) The project begun by Bexley Unit of Service by Youth (B.U.S.B.Y.) to
provide meals at weekends from Hadlow Road Day Centre suggested an
extension of the service to six days per week, thus spreading the total load,
but there was not enough time to reach a conclusion on this possibility.
At present Home Helps provide meals for many housebound old persons
during the weekends, as on other days.
(vii) The WRVS service would need to be supplemented by part-time employees
for which provision would have to be made in the establishment. Based on a
three-hour day at rates of 11/- per hour for drivers and 8/- per hour for mates
the estimated cost in 1970—71 would be £4,500.
(viii) Provision has now been made in the draft estimates for a mini-van to replace
the oldest WRVS vehicle and a mini-bus to serve various departmental
purposes and to act as a stand-by for the meals service.
(e) Administration
The administrative implications of an expanding service would also increase due to
the preparation of rotas, routes, transport etc. It was agreed that the Health and
Welfare Department would be the best suited to assume responsibility for the
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