Council-run school meals service to end in 2027

A council has said it can no longer afford to subsidise school meals and plans to cut funding for its school meals service, in a move aimed at saving £500,000.

Warrington Borough Council said it would stop providing the school meal provision from September 2027, with schools expected to make alternative catering arrangements.

Up to seven management and support staff could face redundancy, although the council said there was no immediate threat to their jobs and no current implications for the remaining 242 school meals workers - with school meals still being provided.

The move forms part of £51.2m of savings approved last month as the council seeks to tackle its financial problems.

Councillor Matt Smith, the council's cabinet member for children and education, said the council-run service was losing about £500,000 a year.

"The council cannot afford to continue to subsidise school meals," he said, in a lengthy statement.

"The service provided by the council is currently operating at a loss of approximately £500,000 per year and, due to operational challenges, we have not always been able to offer this service to the highest standards – for example, at times we have been unable to provide hot meals."

Despite a number of reviews by the authority to try to ensure the service remained sustainable, Smith said the council had recognised "that its way of providing school meals is not as cost effective as other neighbouring authorities".

He said continuing the existing service after removing the £500,000 subsidy would require the council to increase the price of a school meal to £3.60, potentially exceeding £4 in subsequent years.

"Instead, the council will work with schools to discuss how they will meet their statutory duty to provide school meals from next academic year (September 2027)," he said.

Under the new arrangements, schools could provide meals themselves or use an external catering company.

Smith continued: "We are committed to working with schools to put new arrangements in place, that provide good quality and affordable school meals for our children, and support as many school meal jobs as possible.

"School meal provision will likely either be delivered directly by the schools or via another contractor, and staff employment rights will be protected."

The councillor sought to allay concerns expressed earlier this week about job security and committed to working with Trade Unions "to minimise any impact on children, schools, and staff".

"We know this is an unsettling time for those in receipt of school meals and for our staff.

"The council is fully committed to engaging with schools, staff and Trade Unions as part of this process."

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