Download Newport secures investment to improve school meals

Newport secures investment to improve
school meals
In a drive to improve school meals across the city, a new contract to deliver the service
has been awarded.
Chartwells, a leading provider of catering and support services to schools, colleges and
universities in the UK, has been selected following an extensive evaluation procedure.
The new service will begin in April 2011.
All staff currently providing the schools meals service in Newport as part of Newport
Catering will transfer to the new organisation. Their current terms and conditions of
employment will be fully protected including pay, hours of work and pension provision.
As part of the contract, Chartwells will also invest £250,000 in the school service.
Newport City Council will make significant savings because of better procurement and
reduced management overheads but pupils will benefit from improved and healthier
meals. A considerable amount of investment would have been needed in its in-house
service to meet the Welsh Assembly’s Appetite for Life action plan.
Schools have been fully involved in the process. Consultation on the current service and
what pupils, parents, school staff and other interested parties wanted to see in the future
was carried out earlier this year.
Based on that feedback and the Appetite for Life guidance, a new contract was offered
for tender.
Councillor David Atwell, cabinet member for young people’s services, said: “It is
essential that we provide meals that are healthy, offer choice and are affordable. A
balanced diet is essential for our children and young people if they are to develop and
grow into healthy adults and links between diet and academic achievements have been
made.
“This new contract will ensure that we meet the principles of Appetite for Life and put
the needs of our pupils first.”
All staff currently providing the schools meals service in Newport as part of Newport
Catering will transfer to the new organisation. Their current terms and conditions of
employment will be fully protected. All primary schools meals services will be provided
under the new contract. Secondary schools were invited to take part in the contract
process. Newport High and Caerleon Comprehensive chose to opt out.