Issue - meetings

This report describes the financial position regarding the school meal service provided by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC). The report seeks the views of the Executive Members regarding options to address the significant loss that is being incurred on this contract. 

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That Option 3 be approved, increasing the selling price of primary school meals to £1.90 in October 2007;

(ii)     That it be agreed that the Local Authority contribute to the joint review of the school meals service and options for future delivery, as proposed by North Yorkshire County Council.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:       That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:            To ensure the continuation of the school meals service provided by North Yorkshire County Council.

Members considered a report  relating to the financial position regarding the school meal service provided by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC). The report asked for the views of the Executive Members regarding options to address the significant loss that is being incurred on this contract.

It was reported that negotiations with NYCC regarding this year’s price increase had been delayed due to uncertainty regarding the costs arising from the Job Evaluation (JE) exercise that has now been completed in NYCC. It was noted that 60% of the cost of a school meal was labour cost.

Despite the efforts of the catering staff and staff in many schools, the take-up rate of hot meals in primary schools in York varies from 16% to 61% with an average of around 33% in 2006/2007. The price of a school meal in York was not subsidised therefore the prices in York were quite high.

Members felt that the financial problems needed to be addressed but without taking away any nutritional value from the meals provided.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)           That Option 3 be approved, increasing the selling price of primary school meals to £1.90 in October 2007;

(ii)     That it be agreed that the Local Authority contribute to the joint review of the school meals service and options for future delivery, as proposed by North Yorkshire County Council.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:       That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:            To ensure the continuation of the school meals service provided by North Yorkshire County Council.