Appendix 1

Audit Findings and the Departmental Response to Metro Catering Income Procedures

Further to minute 15 (19 September 2012), the Deputy Director of Children’s Services presented a progress report to inform of the actions taken to address a number of weaknesses identified in an audit of CYPD Metro Catering’s procedures for the management of meal income. The Director outlined the issues that had been identified and set out the actions that had been and were being taken to ensure compliance with the audit recommendations within agreed timescales.

In response to comments from Members as to measures that could be adopted to increase income and simplify income management, the Deputy Director indicated that the charges for school meals could be reviewed. However, any proposed charging increase would have to be considered in the knowledge that Metro Catering was a declining activity within the Council, with schools able to make their own arrangements for the provision of school meals. He commented also that many local authorities had switched to an electronic payment system for school meals, which parents’ accessed remotely. This would provide a simpler process than the current system and demonstrations of payment systems had been arranged in order to explore options further. However, these would have an initial cost implication.

Resolved –

(1)  That the actions following the audit recommendations be noted.

(2)  That the report be referred to the Children and Young People O&S Committee for consideration.