Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Hallchurch (Councillor Seale substituting), Councillor Skolar (Councillor Hudspeth substituting) and Councillor Hibbert-Biles.

None.

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1.40

At its meeting on the 12^th January the Strategy & Partnerships Scrutiny Committee agreed to hold an additional meeting to consider a report to Cabinet on 6^th February concerning the inclusion of Food with Thought (FwT) within the scope of the integrated Property & Facilities external service contract.

The report will outline the qualitative information received so far from potential providers in relation to the quality of the service they would be able to provide. Cabinet will then determine whether the service outlined meets their aspirations for school meals provision in future and therefore whether Food with Thought should be part of the fully costed tenders submitted for final contract award in March.

Martin Tugwell, Deputy Director Growth and Infrastructure will present the report and answer questions raised by the committee.

The Strategy and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee have an opportunity to provide comments to Cabinet on the response of the potential providers to the specification for the school meals service. 

The Cabinet report will be available on 27^th January 2012.

The scrutiny committee had before it the report of the Director of Environment and Economy to go to Cabinet on 6^th February 2012.

The committee received verbal updates from Martin Tugwell (Deputy Director Growth and Infrastructure) and Mike Salter (Assistant Head of Property Services) on the site visits to facilities already receiving services from the potential providers and feedback to date from the Schools Forum which had responded positively to the opportunity to increase accountability and transparency in any new contract arrangements.

Peter Fryer (Unison Branch Secretary) was also invited to give his views on the procurement process so far and the evidence of service provision he had seen on the site visits. He expressed his satisfaction with what he had seen and the quality of challenge provided by Oxfordshire County Council officers.

Members of the committee then asked questions.

Councillor Hudspeth asked about the performance management systems in place to ensure 100% adherence to food standards (KPI 15). He also queried why the council would share risks as highlighted in paragraph 30 of the report.

Mike Salter explained the system for daily performance reporting, monthly formal reports and financial penalties if performance issues are not resolved.

Martin Tugwell discussed the strong emphasis on service growth within the new contract as the level of take up in schools is not currently as high as the authority would like it to be. Huw Jones highlighted that the council and provider will actually share the opportunity represented by increased growth In the service, (in terms of financial paybacks), service risks sit with the provider alone.

Councillor Brighouse asked if all providers were able to demonstrate, on the site visits, that they could provide meals for children aged 3-19 years? It was confirmed that this was the case.

Councillor Brighouse also asked about the future ownership of school kitchens. Mike Salter stated that under the contract all assets would remain under the ownership of Oxfordshire County Council. If the school becomes an Academy then the assets come under their ownership.

Councillor Brighouse drew the committee’s attention to section 35 of the 2011 Education Act which gives schools more powers to set school meals prices in future and asked if this had been considered. Huw Jones (Director Environment and Economy) explained that the school meal price would be set for the first year of the contract and then reviewed (the current legal context will be taken into account at this time). The SLA agreement allows schools to individually negotiate prices based on their school and its needs.

Huw Jones committed to look further into the Education Act 2011 school meals pricing requirements and any implications for the contract.

Councillor Wilmshurst was keen to hear about the specific feedback received from service users. He also asked whether schools could pull out of the contract.

Phil Longford (Corporate Facilities Manager) highlighted some of the views given by the children he spoke to on site visits. They were positive about the daily choices provided.

Huw Jones  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16/12

2.45pm