Pembrokeshire County Council chairman, Clr. Mickey Folland, paid a personal visit to Pentlepoir School recently to see for himself 'meals on wheels' being prepared and dispatched to the Tenby and Saundersfoot area.
Until recently the meals for this area were provided elsewhere, but the contract moved in September to the county council's own kitchens at the school, with the WRVS team of drivers delivering the meals.
Said Clr. Folland: "The change in the provider of meals came after a rigorous tendering process. It is incumbent on the authority to be constantly seeking best value and, from what I have seen today, there is no doubt that the elderly residents of this area are receiving a first class service."
Rosemary Griffiths, the council's catering manager, said that while the authority already produces 96 per cent of the meals delivered in Pembrokeshire - mostly from the council's residential homes, day centres and six other schools - it was the first time a school in the county had been utilised to provide a 364-day service.
She went on: "It has meant that staff have had to adjust, but all have welcomed the opportunity to work on a different type of menu. We prepare the meals with care and integrity and the quality of food is excellent.
"The school has been tremendously supportive and recognise that they are helping to provide a vital service to the local community."
Said Amanda Williams, West Wales WRVS food manager: "When you take over from another organisation, you are always under the spotlight. We have taken trouble to select a delivery team that is aware of the needs and concerns of the client group and able to respond to every contingency. The whole team has undergone first aid, hygiene and customer care training."
Pembrokeshire County Council currently produces 85,000 meals a year for the elderly dependant through some 18 schemes, mostly on a 365-days-a-year basis. Of these, the WRVS is responsible for delivering 73 per cent though they administer the entire service.