Catering Best Value Review
Best Value Review showed the Council Catering Service to be a high quality service provider in that:-
- the service is effectively managed
- the quality of the service, both in terms of production/quality management and product standard, has been externally validated and recognised
- the service operates efficiently in comparison to other Local Authority Catering Services
- the service is well received and regarded by users
It was concluded that, to maintain this level of service, would require substantial investment in ageing equipment and facilities. The principal client, Education, was found to be happy with the Service, and there was a good working relationship and spirit of co-operation. The national demands placed on Education in terms of initiatives like Healthy Eating and Hungry for Success were being delivered. The major requirement of Education is to minimise its expenditure and work towards a nil subsidy. This can be something of a “catch 22” for Education in that the more children taking school meals (and therefore satisfies the demands of the Scottish Executive’s agenda) the more income it will receive but will then have to pay out to the provider with a need to find additional funding to cover the increased uptake on free school meals for which no income is received.
The preferred option of a Cook/Freeze CPU to deal with all the issues facing both the Catering Service and Education was identified. Though a substantial sum was required to establish the facility, there was confidence within both Catering and Education that both their needs would be met, while at the same time creating a modern catering service with the potential for growth into the external market place.
For more information on any of our Best Value reviews, please contact us using the details below.
Contact information
For further information about this page please contact:
Business Improvement & Technology Services
Greenfield House, Tullibody Road, Alloa, FK10 2AD
Tel: 01259 452105 / 450000 Fax: 01259 452200
Email: customerfirst@clacks.gov.uk
Or use the on-line contact form.