Agenda item

            The Sub-Committee received a report of the Strategic Director, Health and Community which informed Members on the progress of the Catering Contract at Norton Priory which had been provided by Adults with learning Disabilities Day Services since 25^th October 2008 and which sought approval for the Business Plan.

            The Council, like many other Councils across the UK had found it difficult to meet the Care Quality Commission’s objectives of finding people known to Social Care, particularly those with Learning Difficulties, suitable employment opportunities.

            In July 2008 negotiations with Norton Priory led to the offer from Norton Priory to Adults with Learning Disability Day Services of a contract (SLA) to provide all the catering at Norton Priory. This included special, local and corporate events as well as the café.

            Members were advised that Day Services had existing experience at providing community based catering projects at Murdishaw Café and Country Garden Buffet and had included the Norton Priory contract into its current operations without any increase to the establishment. The report set out the businesses run by Adults with Learning Disability Day Services.

            The catalyst that enabled these services to become more recognisable as businesses was the award of the contract to provide the catering at Norton Priory, which began officially on 5^th December 2008. This had been a genuinely commercial opportunity. The refectory at the museum was staffed Monday to Sunday with at least one member of staff and between 2 and 6 service users per day. Between the Norton Priory site, Murdishaw Café and Vine Street there were currently five service users receiving permitted earnings.

            The feedback at Norton Priory continued to be positive and warm with customers commencing favourably on the quality, cost, variety and the friendliness of the service. The standards were closely monitored and the repeat customer base was steadily increasing.

            It was noted that monthly meetings were being held with Norton Priory Trust’s management team. The relationship remained strong and mutually beneficial. The success of the service and the healthy relationship had provided further opportunities to cater for fetes and large corporate events.

            It was noted that since December 08 CGS’s takings from Norton Priory, the buffets and the two days per week at Murdishaw Café amounted to £29,500. Two thirds of this was made up from the trade at Norton Priory.

            Based on this trading history, the figures demonstrated that it was a profitable business. Margins were around 33% although this must be emphasised that the real costs of labour i.e. the costs associated with the staff who supported the service users to provide the services, were already paid for and effectively subsidised the business. This was not to say that in future the projects could not be outsourced or act as stand-alone enterprises. It was noted that with this had come opportunities to diversify into other areas. The report set out a number of projects and businesses that Day Services and colleagues from the Children and Young People Directorate had worked on in the belief that they are both achievable and sustainable.

            RESOLVED: That

(1)       the Strategic Director, Health and Community, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, Health and Social Care be authorised to continue and, where appropriate, extend the contractual arrangements with Norton Priory Trust to provide catering and related services at Norton Priory;

(2)       a further financial report be submitted to the Sub-Committee in 12 months time; and

(3)       further update reports be submitted to the relevant Policy and Performance Board.