SAC Report No. 3

Aberdeenshire Schools Catering (April 2004)

Summary

In September 2003, Aberdeenshire Council's Scrutiny and Audit Committee decided to undertake a review of the Council's school catering in order to (1) investigate and make proposals on the effectiveness and method of service delivery, and (2) investigate the take-up of meals and the Council's commitment to promoting healthy eating.

During the Committee's investigation, evidence was heard from witnesses interviewed during 9 evidence gathering sessions. The Committee visited a number of Aberdeenshire and Northumberland schools. Letters of representation were received from school boards, parent teacher associations, school pupil councils, and individuals. All of this evidence was considered and helped the Committee form its conclusions and recommendations.

On the basis of the evidence presented to it, the Committee identified a number of strengths within the school catering service. Considerable professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment exists amongst the management and staff in the Service.

There is widespread concern amongst the public, health professionals and in government about poor diet and its role in causing preventable ill health and premature death. As well as being a problem for the affected individuals, diet-related ill health increases the demands on the NHS and imposes a financial burden on taxpayers.

Evidence was heard that the Council's school meal service has the potential to be the largest public health campaign in Aberdeenshire. The Committee endorses this view and recommends that the Council commits itself to having a revitalised and refocused school meal service with the clear aim of providing school meals which improve public health by improving children's diets.

The Committee considered the November 2002 report "Hungry for Success – A Whole School Approach to School Meals in Scotland" and supports its recommendations aimed at Local Authorities. A seminar should be run to raise awareness of that report's contents and recommendations within the Council.

"Hungry for Success" requires a whole school approach to school meals that will be subject to scrutiny from HMIE. In view of this, the Committee recommends that the school catering service becomes part of the Education and Recreation Service.

The Committee believes that the "Hungry for Success" funding from the Scottish Executive should be used to help the school catering service break out of the vicious circle of high costs and low uptake that has affected it in recent years. To ensure the Service receives the attention it needs in this transformational stage of its development, it is essential that an appropriate body be charged with "championing" the Service.

There is an urgent need to address the quality of financial management information available for managing the school catering service. A business case needs to be developed for investment in an appropriate IT system. Consideration also needs to be given to the requirement to have nutritional analysis software as a result of "Hungry for Success" so that a nutritionally analysed recipe book can be developed.

A review should be undertaken to determine the staffing and other resources actually required to provide the school catering service. Northumberland County Council have established their catering function's staffing requirements by reference to a staffing formula. In full consultation with the Unions, a similar formula should be developed for Aberdeenshire and staffing levels reviewed.

The school catering service should develop a five year business plan which includes a detailed financial improvement plan and gives commitment to delivering the Service's vision. The business plan should be based on a strategy of simultaneously increasing efficiency and meal uptake. The plan should include a review of performance improvement scheduled for three years' time.

Marketing is a major area which can have a significant impact on meal uptake and it is important that the Service embark on a multi-faceted marketing campaign, informed by appropriate market research.

Having considered evidence from a contractor who provides school catering services to other Scottish Councils and one of their clients, the Committee concluded that there was no reason why a revitalised, internally provided service could not achieve all the desired aims.

Facilities seen by the Committee in Aberdeenshire schools ranged from excellent to clearly unsatisfactory. The Council is developing an Asset Management Plan which should give consideration to school catering facilities. Although funding has been allocated by the Scottish Executive through The Schools Fund, this will not be enough to resolve all the deficiencies. The Committee recommends that the Council lobby the Scottish Executive for further funding and examines what opportunities there may be to invest in school dining areas and kitchens under the Prudential Code.

In view of the changes required, it is recommended that serious consideration be given to appointing an additional management resource to work alongside the Catering Services Manager, at least in the short term.

The Council should ensure that all catering in schools complies with the requirements of "Hungry for Success". School vending machines must not undermine either the public health aims of the Council, the standards set by "Hungry for Success" or the financial performance of the Catering Service.

As children's eating habits are formed in their early years, consideration should be given to involving Catering staff in Nursery classes to advise children of school meals and to try and make them aware of the benefits of eating healthily. This interaction should not be restricted to Nursery classes but should be extended and introduced throughout all schools.

Full Report

• SAC Report: Aberdeenshire Schools Catering (533 kb)