When it comes to cost cutting measures, there are some ideas promoted which are difficult to comprehend, especially when they affect the most vulnerable in society such as the elderly.

But it appears the elderly who are in receipt of meals on wheels in parts of Fermanagh could in future be receiving frozen meals provided by supplier outside the county rather than the hot dinners supplied by local hotels and establishments in their own communities.

Local councillors have added their concern at a review of the meals on wheels service by the Western Health and Social Care Trust.

The loss of this service to local providers is not just about loss of revenue and much needed business for them but also flies in the face of the whole concept of local procurement which is often debated at the heart of government.

A report from the Federation of Small Businesses revealed that when it comes to procurement of goods and services, just less than a third of the total £28.1 billion spent by government is spent on supporting local firms.

But the greater benefit following analysis is that for every £1 spent on local procurement of goods, at least a further 51p was generated in that local community and in some cases as much as 63p.

So if this policy is implemented, it could be a big blow to local suppliers such as butchers, fruit and vegetable distributors and of course the establishments who prepared the meal and who often deliver them.

Some people said they were concerned about the social impact as some elderly people looked forward to a five or 10-minute chat with the delivery person.

Everyone recognises how local authorities are under constant pressure when it comes to finances but when it affects the vulnerable in our society, the cutbacks are going too far.