Issue - meetings

That a contract, for two years with an option to extend for one further year, be awarded to these three suppliers; Cheesman Bros Ltd, AG Axtons and Bidvest 3663, subject to the agreement of the detailed financial information, as set out in the submitted Part 2 report.

Reasons for Decisions:

The proposal supports Commercial Services ability to provide school and civic meals across Surrey and helps Commercial Services to comply with their legal duty, including The Children’s and Families Act 2014, to offer all state-funded schools,  including academies and free schools, a free school lunch to all pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 from September 2014.

These three suppliers will provide a good mix between local small and medium sized enterprises (SME) and large scale national providers, all of which have demonstrated the ability to deliver the required produce through a competitive procurement process.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee]

The Cabinet Member for Schools and Learning praised the excellent job that Commercial Services did in providing catering facilities for schools and civic functions across Surrey.

She said that this report sought approval to award contracts, to three suppliers, for the supply of fresh produce for this service.

The detailed financial information which includes commercially sensitive information, was set out Part 2 of this agenda (item 18), and demonstrated why the recommended contracts offered best value for money.

She drew Cabinet’s attention to the legal duty to offer a free lunch to all Key Stage 1 pupils, who attended state funded schools, including academies and free schools, from September 2014.

The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Flooding commended the importance that the County Council attached to encouraging local small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in bidding for County Council contracts.

RESOLVED:

That a contract, for two years with an option to extend for one further year, be awarded to these three suppliers; Cheesman Bros Ltd, AG Axtons and Bidvest 3663, subject to the agreement of the detailed financial information, as set out in the submitted Part 2 report.

Reasons for Decisions:

The proposal supports Commercial Services ability to provide school and civic meals across Surrey and helps Commercial Services to comply with their legal duty, including The Children’s and Families Act 2014, to offer all state-funded schools,  including academies and free schools, a free school lunch to all pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 from September 2014.

These three suppliers will provide a good mix between local small and medium sized enterprises (SME) and large scale national providers, all of which have demonstrated the ability to deliver the required produce through a competitive procurement process.