A cease trading order was made to Food 4 Thought GB, the Lincolnshire school caterers, after the company went into liquidation and began operating under the name, Ideal UK. North Kesteven and Boston councils claimed they were not made aware of the change in arrangements and ordered the company to stop providing meals to schools, affecting about 18 schools in the area.
A spokesperson from the BHA commented on the legal issues and said: "Unfortunately there are no standard terms and conditions for catering contracts in schools. It is down to the Education Authority on how they deal with it. Clearly, in this case, if they are satisfied to transfer the contract to another organisation without going out to tender then there is little that can be done. In the circumstances they just wish to minimise disruption to school catering and assuming they have made no financial losses that is probably why they have accepted the situation.
“The Government is currently going through a process of change in relation to public procurement of catering and FM to improve the process and include more standardisation, which will improve matters for procurers and catering contractors. We are in discussion with them however it is painfully slow and they are starting with central Government departments and my view is that it will take some considerable time to reach school catering contracts.”
A spokesperson from the Food Standards Agency said: “Any business supplying food to schools should have the necessary approval from the local authority to ensure food is safe. The FSA would support local authorities taking action where they have concerns about the food safety management arrangements in place, as they seem to in this case.
“North Kesteven District Council did get in touch with the FSA about this issue and the action they are taking is in line with our guidance.”
After speaking to a North Kesteven spokesperson, Cost Sector Catering can report that as far as the Lincolnshire based councils are concerned, “the issue is resolved” and Ideal UK now holds the correct required approval for premises to continue providing school meals.
Ideal Catering Group company director, Caroline Clark said: "We are grateful of the opportunity to resolve all outstanding matters and resume our full service providing children with their lunches."
Councillor Woodliffe, Boston Borough and Councillor Wright, North Kesteven District Council, said: "We appreciate the positive action taken by the company to resolve this matter as quickly as possible."