Decision details

The Cabinet Member for Children and Education:

1.    Notes 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, Mitie Catering Services Ltd from the 1 January 2022 to 31 July 2023 at a total cost of circa £2.990m.

3.    Approves the direct award of a contract to the current school meals provider for Secondary Schools, Caterlink Ltd from the 1 January 2022 to 31 July 2023  at a total cost of circa £1.013m.

Option 1 is recommended to conduct a direct award to the existing providers to ensure continuity in provision and to enable sufficient time to support schools in moving to a new operating model.

School Meals are an essential service used by many children and young people in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F); whereby participating children receive a 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)