Service Description
The Contract and School Organisation team provides schools with a complete service covering the procurement and monitoring of the school cleaning and catering contracts and ancillary services such as kitchen equipment repairs and cashless payment systems.
SLA services offered
Cleaning Contract 2022-25
Access to the council’s contracted cleaning service specified particularly to meet the needs of schools, procured in accordance with UK & local procurement rules and managed and monitored day to day by the council’s CLLF Contracts officers.
Our new cleaning contract with Julius Rutherfoord offers:
- Full cleaning service including daily periodic and holiday cleaning tasks.
- DBS checked staff recruited in line with the council’s specified requirements for employment (i.e., references, employment history & right to work checks).
- A nominated contract manager for Merton who is available to deal with any issues or concerns raised by schools.
In addition to preparing and letting the contract, the Contracts Team manages/monitors the service for schools – the council’s monitoring ensures the cleaning service meets quality standards and complies with Health and Safety and Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH) requirements.
The Contracts Team will undertake regular monitoring visits to schools (at least one visit per half term) and specific monitoring during and on completion of periodic/holiday cleaning tasks.
Catering Contract 2021-24
Access to the council’s contracted catering service specified to meet national school food standards, procured in accordance with EU, UK & local procurement rules and managed and monitored day to day by the council’s CLLF Contracts officers.
Our current catering contract with Caterlink for school catering services offers:
Full school meal catering service at a very competitive meal price.
A nutritionally balanced menu offering a daily choice of main courses. The menu can be tailored in consultation with schools to account for local requirements/preferences.
Appropriately trained and DBS checked staff, employed in line with the council’s specified requirements for employment (i.e. references, employment history & right to work checks).
A nominated contract manager for Merton who is available to deal with any issues or concerns raised by schools.
A contribution to the cost of utilities used by the catering service and towards the costs for waste collection services.
Repair of kitchen equipment (see below).
Our dedicated monitoring officer manages/monitors the service for schools to ensure the catering service meets all statutory requirements and specified quality standards and complies with Health and Safety and Food Hygiene regulations.
The Contracts Team will undertake regular monitoring visits to schools (at least one visit per term) and specific monitoring to deal with any issues or concerns identified or raised by schools.
Catering Equipment Repair/Replacement
The council’s contract for school catering places an obligation on the caterer to maintain and repair (but not replace) kitchen equipment (e.g. cookers, dishwashers, fridges & freezers). This service includes the maintenance and cleaning of ventilation system. Schools/the council are responsible for replacing items of kitchen equipment which are beyond economic repair.
The council manages a de-delegated budget on behalf of maintained schools to meet the cost of kitchen equipment replacement.
Cashless Payment Arrangements
For schools who require this service, the council facilitates arrangements with ParentPay for a cashless payment system for the use of schools in collecting payments from parents and guardians.
During the course of the coming year, the council will look to review and, if required, re-procure this service.
SLA pricing
The costs of procuring, managing and monitoring the schools’ cleaning and catering contracts for 2022/23 will be charged to the catering and cleaning contractor.
The cost of cleaning is invoiced directly to schools by the contractor in accordance with the tender rates. Schools will be informed of the annual price for their school and a quote can be arranged for schools interested in joining the contract.
The cost of school meals is set by the council in consultation with the contractor and invoiced directly to schools in accordance with agreed weekly meal numbers – where the contractor collects dinner money a credit is provided for income received from parents.
Cleaning Contract Monitoring
| Charge for 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 | |
|---|---|
| All primary, secondary and special schools | No charge |
Catering Contract Monitoring
| Charge for 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 | |
|---|---|
|
All special and primary schools |
No charge |
There is no charge for the council maintaining the cashless payment arrangements on behalf of schools – schools will only pay the annual licence fee for the service.
Please also note the council’s expectation is that schools who commit to participate in local authority arranged contracts will need to do so for the duration of the contract term.
Further details
Please contact the Contracts Team for further information on these services.
If you require additional information please contact either:
Karen Wilkie
Contracts Monitoring Officer
Contracts & School Organisation
Tel: 020 8545 3288 / 07904 014 312
Email: karen.wilkie@merton.gov.uk
Murray Davies
Contracts & Procurement Manager Contracts & School Organisation
Tel: 020 8545 3069/07961 229313
Email: murray.davies@merton.gov.uk