School Dinner Food Costs Rise 12% In A Year

A report will be presented to Councillors this week giving the Assets and Economic Development Department budgets, highlighting financial pressures on providing school dinners.

The report states “Food costs have risen by 12.06% since January 2011. Since then, the school catering budget has only increased in line with inflation, which is substantially below the rise in food prices. This has put significant pressure on the service to deliver within budget.”

This, alongside less income, has meant the school catering budget has been at an overspend.

School dinner prices are set to rise for the first time since February 2011 by 2.7%, from £2.05 to £2.10. This will raise an extra £293 a day or £53k a year.

The report also gives information that due to the target of 90% occupancy of the commercial estates the budget itself automatically starts at a deficit.

To attempt to raise the occupancy rate there has been ‘an improved web presence’ and ‘increased advertising in the local press’. A ‘property shop’ has also been created with details of properties on public display in Redwither Tower.

There has been 183 enquiries since 1st April 2012, an increase in 70 compared to the previous year. The above changes are attributed to the increase in enquiries.

It is noted that property listings are now on Rightmove as of October 1st, and that itself has generated 41 enquiries.

A selected sell off of property is also mentioned, “The proposed selective sale of identified assets and the reinvestment of funds can develop the portfolio and keep in relevant to future needs and future generations”.

The report PDF can be viewed here.