Decision details

This report seeks approval to direct award contracts for the provision of school meals for the period from 06 June 2021 to 31 December 2021. 

School Meals are an essential service used by children and young people in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) which ensures that school aged children eat at least one nutritionally balanced meal each day.

That the Cabinet Member for Children and Education:

1.    Approves that Appendix 1 to this report is exempt from disclosure on the grounds that it contains information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings under Paragraph 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

2.    Approves the direct award of a contract to the current school meals provider for Nursery, Primary and Special Schools, Interserve Catering Services Ltd from the 6 June 2021 to 31 December 2021 at a total cost of circa £1.265m.

3.    Approves the direct award of a contract to the current school meals provider for Secondary Schools, Caterlink Ltd from the 6 June 2021 to 31 December 2021 at a total cost of circa £0.271m.

Option 1 is recommended to conduct a short-term direct award to the existing providers to enable sufficient time to undertake a full competitive tender exercise. This option will enable schools to maintain provision whilst providing time for them and the market to respond to such an exercise.

School Meals are an essential service used by children and young people in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) which ensures that school aged children have access to at least one nutritionally balanced meal each day.

The provision of free school meals is a statutory provision within the Education Act 2003. Each governing body has a duty to provide free lunches for eligible pupils and to provide the opportunity for other pupils to buy lunch.

Option 1: Direct Award – Recommended

Option 2: Do nothing and continue with original retender timeframes- (Not Recommended)

See the report for a detailed analysis of the options.