Elderly residents are rejoicing as Basildon Council introduces a hot meals services to a day centre after years of campaigning for the service.

At last Wednesday’s housing and community committee meeting, members approved a budget of £20,000 per year to help the George Hurd Centre (GHC) provide hot meals to their members.

The council-run centre, which is in Audley Way, Basildon, had its service taken away four years ago as council needed to slash £30,000 from its catering budget. The service will start in January.

With limited funding, the centre only provides a tea bar, hot drinks, soup and tea cakes.

Councillor Kerry Smith, chairman of the housing and community committee, said: “When the last administration cancelled this service the membership numbers fell because they took away something that was so important to the members.

“The money will go towards paying staff members to operate the service, refurbishing the kitchen, PAT testing, replacement freezer and three industrial microwaves.

“We will buy frozen meals and pay for catering services to make fresh soup from raw ingredients.”

The council will work closely with the GHC committee, who will be responsible for selecting and ordering the meals. The cost of the meals will come from membership fees.

Mr Smith said: “The hot meals bring people together, it is also to address the bigger issue of isolation amongst the elderly.

“It was the former mayor of the council, Mo Larkin, who gave us the idea of buying equipment for the centre so they have the facilities.”

Mo Larkin, former mayor of Basildon Council, had worked closely with Mr Smith to continue this service.

She said: “When I served as mayor I walked out on the council meeting when they decided to axe the service because they said its not viable. I tried many ways to bring back the hot meals.

“I’m very pleased Councillor Smith has brought it back. Having a meal together is a social thing, some elderly residents don’t see anyone for one week or more so this is an important social bonding opportunity for them.”

John Day, chairman of Age Matters, was pleased about the news. He said: “It was a long-fought campaign and I want to credit Mo and Councillor Smith as they have really pushed for it.

“Mo did her best when she had served as mayor to get the service reinstated. I am thrilled for the members of GHC because this means a lot to them.”