Issue - items at meetings - Community meals

Report of Executive Director of Adult Services (copy attached).

(1)       That the report be noted.

(2)       That the new model for community meals should be introduced in a phased way across the city.

(3)       That the new model of volunteer support suggested by the RVS should also be adopted and introduced across the city.

40.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Adult Services which informed members that the community meals service was retendered in March 2013 and the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) were successful in retaining the contract.  A new model for meal provision and for the role of volunteers was outlined within the tender document and RVS ran a pilot to test the new arrangements during August 2013.  The report gave details of the outcomes of the pilot and described the future plans for introducing the new model across the city.   The report was presented by the Contract Manager. 

40.2    Councillor Norman thanked the Contracts Manager for the excellent report and stated that the only issue he wished to raise was the chronology of events as set out in paragraph 3.1.  Councillor Norman mentioned that he had had a vision for better, more locally sourced meals and that he and the Executive Director had visited City College three or more years ago to discuss a way of providing locally sourced and locally cooked food.    Councillor Norman stated that he had sampled the old meals and the new Steamplicity meals and he considered the new product was excellent.  He hoped the meals could be sourced more locally in the future and looked forward to the meals being rolled out across the city.

40.3    Councillor Meadows referred to the safe and well check referred to in paragraph 3.4.3 and appendix 1, paragraph 2.1.  She asked about the timeframe for this check.  Councillor Meadows further referred to section 11 of the quality statement set out in the appendix, concerning the supply of freezers and microwave ovens to customers who required them.  She asked how this was carried out along with the safe and well check. 

40.4    The Executive Director replied that the model allowed volunteers to spend a great deal more time with customers.  The rounds could be carried out according to what the person required.  The Contract Manager reported that the service could deliver meals a day in advance.  Local volunteers could then visit to heat the meal and spend time with the customer.  The delivery van also had a microwave which could be used when customers did not have that facility.  The RVS would also consider lending microwaves or funding the cost of microwaves. 

40.5    Councillor Bowden asked if the contractors had stated how many volunteers they had and whether they had a sufficient number.  Councillor Bowden made the point that St Albans was still a long way from the City. 

40.6    The Contracts Manager replied that there were a large number of volunteers in Brighton and Hove and there had never been a problem in recruiting RVS volunteers.

40.7    Councillor Barnett asked if there was a start date for the new contract.  The Contract Manager replied that if the report was approved, she would meet with the RVS later in the week.  The proposal was to start the process in January 2014 and have everything in place to enable all customers to receive the service by March 2014.

40.8    RESOLVED - (1)      That the report be noted.

(2)       That the new model for community meals should be introduced in a phased way across the city.

(3)       That the new model of volunteer support suggested by the RVS should also be adopted and introduced across the city.