School Meal Service to be modernised

Cumbria County Council's Cabinet today confirmed that it is to press ahead with the modernisation and improvement of the school meals service. The proposals agreed by the Cabinet today will: 

• Introduce a new budget from the 1 April 2004 which will be delegated direct to the Primary Schools giving them greater flexibility and choice of provision. 
• Enhance the Education budget. 
• Introduce a modern school meals service providing quality food. 
• Provide capital to invest in new equipment.     

Cabinet spokesperson on Education, County Councillor Joan Stocker says: 

"It is clear that the financial problems inherent in the old style of managing the School Meals Service had to be changed. We simply cannot sustain a system that is losing public money and that's why action is required. 

We are already having detailed discussions with the Primary Schools in the County so they can have the funds delegated to their own budgets, consistent with the approach of many other Local Education Authorities. 

A number have already have opted to take responsibilities for the meals service themselves and we will know each schools' preference by the end of the current summer term in July. This gives us eight months to reorganise and improve the service ready for 1 April 2004. Each school has three basic options: 

• To buy back the service from Cumbria Contract Services 
• To appoint a private sector supplier by competitive tender 
• Or, manage the service themselves     

The decisions taken by schools will determine the level of staffing needed within Cumbria Contract Services to deliver the improved service, and it is likely that redundancies will occur. Consultations with the Trade Unions and the Staff will take place once we know the full picture, building on the initial talks that have already taken place. But it is clear that to protect a much valued service for pupils in primary schools and their families, change is necessary. 

I fully expect that this time next year we will see a modern school meals service providing high quality meals. Meals that are popular with children and a service that provides excellent value for money for both families and the wider Cumbrian Council Tax payer."