Decision details

That subject to consultation with participating schools, the contract for the framework for provision of the school meals service from August 2020 be awarded to Contractor A.

The current contract for the provision of school meals expires at the end of July 2020.

Following consultation with schools, the re-procurement of this service commenced in 2019, but has been delayed by the Covid-19 outbreak and is currently running approximately six weeks behind schedule.

Whilst the tender evaluation is complete, time is required to consult schools on the tender outcome, so the award decision is subject to consultation with participating schools.

Doing nothing was not an option because the current contract expired at the end of July 2020, after which there would be no provision for school meals from September 2020.

Schools could be required to make their own arrangements, however there would be insufficient time for schools to organise the re-procurement of this service for themselves, or make arrangements to bring the service in-house by employing their own staff.

Councillor Brunel-Walker declared a disclosable pecuniary interest as his wife worked for one of the bidders and withdrew from the meeting.