Modernised Schools Meals Service to be introduced next year

Today, Cumbria County Council's Cabinet upheld their original decision to implement the new modernised school meals service with effect from 1st April 2004. 

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education says 

"This is such an important issue and I am pleased that we are still going to press ahead with implementing the new modernised school meals service by 1st April next year. Addressing this issue sooner rather than later reduces the uncertainty and concerns of staff, schools and parents. 

We have a clear plan of action and have guaranteed that schools, especially small schools, will receive independent advice and support to enable them to choose the option that is best for them. Extra support staff with budgetary expertise will be employed to provide schools with additional advice necessary and schools will be sent a clear timetable of when decisions are to be made. With this, and the hard work currently being undertaken by the Education Department and Cumbria Contract Services I am confident that the new modernised service can be implemented by next year."