Council looks to school meal providers to make savings

15th December 2009, 10:06am

City of Edinburgh Council must find £90 million of savings over the next three years and will look to out source more services such as school meals to private companies.

The council said it "must secure maximum value for taxpayers' money".

In a statement the council said: "Exploring the alternative service delivery approach does not mean privatisation; the project will consider various options, including those which have proved effective for other councils."

Subject to council's agreement of the recommendations, official advertisements inviting would-be partner organisations to enter into a Competitive Dialogue Process would be placed with the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) early in 2010.

Council leader, Cllr Jenny Dawe said: "The financial situation facing the Council is unparalleled. The Council must continue to provide maximum value for taxpayers' money, while delivering the quality frontline services that residents expect. We must therefore radically review the Council's operations to transform customer service and secure real efficiencies.

"This is the beginning of a process to inform decisions on future service delivery. Proposals would only be progressed were a strong business case demonstrated. Any final decisions would require Council approval."

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