Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report regarding services to schools. 

Richard Moran, Education Business Manager introduced the report and gave a presentation on ‘Trading Update – Services to Schools’ which covered the following points:

·  The Financial Landscape

·  The Political Landscape

·  Estimated Pupil numbers in Schools at 1^st September 2018

·  What is currently happening with Support Services?

·  What has the LA done to date?

·  What has been changed?

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Furse stated that, while he understood the economic situation and that schools are converting to academies, it was sad that the authority had to relinquish oversight on quality and local sourcing of school meals which had been established. The officer explained that when schools change to new suppliers, they do set specifications which are very close to those that the authority had set up. Richard Howroyd – Head of Strategic Procurement and Commissioning explained that the authority will attempt to guide schools towards appropriate sellers. Richard Morgan explained that schools can provide the meals for a cheaper rate per plate because they do not have the overheads that were included in the authority’s rate. Councillor Bevan commented that this was reassuring.

Councillor Davis commented that the overheads do make a difference and also parents and children are more careful over their diets now. She added that there must be some caution over the introductory offers made by some organisations that could slowly rise. Richard Howroyd (Procurement) stated that schools have been advised to use caution around 1 year deals. Councillor Davis stated that there are benefits to the new system and that schools feel they have more ownership now.

Councillor Anketell Jones asked what happens to the 5% of schools that do not convert to academies. Richard Morgan explained that the Government had indicated that all schools will eventually become academies. In the case of this authority, the business support function has changed significantly but the authority still provides advice, guidance and challenge as well as statutory duties such as assessment for Education Healthcare Plans.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency, Councillor Charles Gerrish explained that the move to academy status started a while ago and once the bigger schools converted, the authority lost its economies of scale which would have meant costs rocketing for schools and parents. He added that the quality of food was the responsibility of school governors and the authority should challenge governors if this was an issue.