THE deadline is looming for someone to come forward and save the hot meals service at Basildon’s day centres for the over-50s.

Basildon Council is looking for a contractor, or even a charity, to run the catering at its George Hurd, Laindon and Pitsea day centres after deciding to end its in-house service.

The future of subsidised hot meals at the day centres has been in the balance since the council controversially decided it needed to cut £30,000 from its catering budget.

Basildon Council agreed last month that it would start advertising for a private firm or even a voluntary organisation to run the service.

Anyone interested still has until 10am on Tuesday, August 27, to submit a proposal to the council.

Terri Sargent, Basildon councillor responsible for community, said: “We have no choice but to reduce the costs from our day centre budget, to ensure these popular facilities can remain open for the public in the future.

“But we do understand the catering service is valued, and that is why we’ve opened up this opportunity to local organisations and businesses to bid for the service.”

The hot meals service costs the council £158,600 a year, with day centre members paying £3.60 a day for their hot meals, and £4.40 of the total cost subsidised by the council.

Bidderswill be asked to come up with a plan to run the service at no cost to the council five days a week, for three years, with the choice of one hot meal and snack a day.

If a successful bidder is found, the council is hoping to award a contract on September 12, with a November start date.

For more information, e-mail procurement@basildon.gov.uk or call 01268 294454.