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RESOLVED:
 

That Cabinet approve the decision to
consult on the preferred option to cease the Twelve15 Service at
the end of the 2025/2026 academic year, noting the options that
have been considered as part of the review, and that the
consultation period would be for 45 days with internal service
staff, schools, and provide for engagement with service providers
and other key stakeholders. 
That Cabinet delegate decision
making on final proposals post consultation, to the Cabinet Member
for Finance and Resources and the Deputy Chief Executive, in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and
Lifelong Learning.
That Cabinet delegate approval to
the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources and the Deputy Chief
Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children,
Families and Lifelong Learning, to utilise earmarked reserves to
fund one off implementation costs following consultation and full
business case agreement.
That Cabinet delegate decision
making for all decisions required to enable the implementation of
the final decision to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources
and the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet
Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning.

 
Reason for
Decisions:
 
The Twelve15 Service has historically been
generating a return on investment (ROI) and continues to do so,
albeit at a steadily declining rate; however, the financial
forecast indicates that an ROI is unsustainable in the medium
term.
 
The current forecast sees a trajectory of
significant decreases in the net income to be achieved by the
Twelve15 catering service, resulting in overall pressures against
the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy planning
assumptions.
 
In order to
mitigate this risk, it is proposed that the current services are
discontinued from September 2026 and for schools to procure
alternative arrangements (catering and equipment).
 
The projections are bleak for a previously
buoyant service, and the Cabinet recommendations seek to mitigate
these risks and impacts.
 
(The decisions on
this item can be called-in by the
Resources and Performance Select Committee)