Barnet Education Catering Update 29 June.pdf

As of 30 June 2015, the competition for Barnet Council's Education & Skills contract was reduced to a single bidder, Cambridge Education (Mott MacDonald), after EC Harris LLP and Capita Business Services Ltd withdrew. The decision not to develop an in-house option left Mott MacDonald without competition. Catering services were confirmed to be subcontracted, with ISS selected by Mott MacDonald as the catering subcontractor.

Key issues identified include:

1. Lack of competition undermines procurement credibility and weakens Barnet Council's negotiating position.
2. Financial justification for including catering services in the contract due to its significant budget contribution.
3. Subcontracting results in savings being divided among three parties, with Barnet Council in a middle position.
4. Non-disclosure of ISS's involvement during the dialogue process to councillors, staff, and unions.
5. Concerns that low-paid catering workers may face adverse changes to terms and conditions due to efficiency demands.
6. Potential threats to the quality of school meals.
7. New risks necessitate urgent identification, allocation, and reporting to relevant committees.
8. Questions about Mott MacDonald's experience with managing a global contractor like ISS and whether additional monitoring will be required by the Council.
9. Recommendation for Barnet Council to postpone procurement and retain catering services in-house.