The Director for Place submitted a written report on the options available to the Council in relation to the future provision of a school meals’ service in the light of school funding reforms.

Councillor Williams (Cabinet Member for Children and Young People) presented the proposals.

Alternative options considered and reasons for the decision –

As set out in the report.

Agreed that –

(1)  the Education Catering Service continues to work with schools under ‘pooled’ budget arrangements or via a traded service as indicated by schools as a preferred outcome at the recent school consultation event;

(2)  where schools opt to ‘pool’ the budget, a clear strategy of the Education Catering Service and school engagement and partnership working is adopted to increase paid meal take-up (income) thereby improving the viability of the service (City-wide and at individual school level) and reducing the need for the support over the period commencing 1 April 2013 and reducing to nil in 2016/17;

(3)   as a consequence of the current economic climate, the Free School Meal Allowance and the selling price of the Paid for Meal remain at the existing levels across all sectors for the period to 31 March 2013; 

(4)   the Education Catering Service explore additional trading options and potential revenue streams.