Agenda item

Derbyn yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y gwasanaeth prydau yn y gymuned. 

The Head of 21^st Century Schools and the Business Manager Catering Services presented the Committee with an update on the Community Meals Service change and the savings that it’s achieved.

A Community Meals service review was approved by Cabinet on the 25^th of January 2018 with the objective of developing a service that improves the quality of life for the people who use it in a way which allows the service to be responsive to demand.

Members were informed that the demand for the weekday service fell by 29% and for the weekend service by 66% over the last 5 years. As such, a new service was implemented in August 2018 and resulted in 3 community meals kitchens being reduced to 1 central production kitchen located in Ynyshir, Rhondda. Members were told that a centralised production enabled a reduction of 20 staff, from 62 to 42. It was emphasised that all redundancies were on a voluntary basis.

The Committee was advised that the impact of the service change has been positive with 93% of clients reporting that they were happy with the service.  The effect of the service change on staff has also been positive. The morae is good and members of staff have commented that they feel valued.

In conclusion, Members were reminded that clear links can be seen between the provision of community meals and the achievement of the Council’s priorities. The service supports some of the most vulnerable elderly people in the County Borough. The feedback has been positive from both clients and their families. The Head of 21^st Century Schools also wanted to place on record her personal thanks to the Unions and HR department for their collaboration in implementing the service change.

Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions.

A number of Members praised the service and agreed that it is a vital service for the most vulnerable adults in our communities.

The Elected Parent/ Governor Representative referred Members to Table 3 of the report on page 79 and queried whether the Council are expecting the negative income figures to become positive figures over time. The Head of 21^st Century schools advised that the Council remains hopeful that these figures will improve over time. The Elected Parent/ Governor Representative also questioned how the Council plans to compete against the commercial sector. Members were advised that the feedback they have received indicates that the Council’s community meals service is competitively priced and provides larger portion sizes than many of its competitors. The Head of 21^st Century schools was also asked if she has any plans to expand the service. Members were told that whilst it is possible to expand the service, it is a subsided service and as such, it is important to keep it within the County Borough.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee questioned whether it would be possible to expand the service to include community groups. The Head of 21^st Century Schools advised that the service is being utilised by its core clients. The Council’s aim is to encourage residents to leave the house to promote Health and Wellbeing. Whilst it would be possible to serve community groups, it is also important to keep production costs down.

A number of Members agreed that the service is vital for elderly residents and that many clients develop an essential relationship with the staff and delivery drivers.

A Member queried what methods the Council are using to promote the service. A number of Members agreed that it is vital that we ensure that residents know what services they are entitled to. The Head of 21^st Century Schools advised Members that the Council promotes the service on its website. However, most clients are referred to the service through friends and family. A Member also commented that many GPs and Hospitals refer residents to the service.

The Head of 21^st Century Schools wanted to place on record her personal thanks to the members of staff and the delivery drivers, who work tirelessly to ensure that the service is run efficiently and successfully. The Head of 21^st Century Schools requested permission from the Vice-Chair to write a letter to every member of staff thanking them for all their hard work. Members agreed with this proposal.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to acknowledge the contents of the report.