Hampshire County Council Proposes to Close Education Catering Service by 2026

Hampshire County Council has announced plans to close its Education Catering Service by March 2026, citing financial pressures as the main reason for the decision. The council has begun consulting with schools and nurseries that currently use the service, exploring alternative ways to meet their future catering needs.

End of Catering Equipment Maintenance Services

As part of the proposed closure, the council also plans to discontinue all services related to the maintenance of catering equipment owned by customers. This move is seen as a cost-saving measure as Hampshire County Council works to streamline its services.

Financial Challenges in the Catering Service

The Education Catering service, previously known as HC3S, has struggled financially in recent years due to rising food and staff costs. Despite efforts to cover these expenses by raising the price of school meals, the funding provided by the government has not kept pace. As a result, the service has experienced a loss of business, making it unsustainable to continue providing this non-statutory service in the long term.

Council’s Statement on the Closure

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council acknowledged the achievements of the Education Catering service, which has gained national recognition and awards for its use of UK-sourced produce. However, they stressed the need to prioritise statutory services amid the current financial difficulties.

“With the considerable cost increases we are facing, which remain unmatched by an equivalent increase in the funding received directly by schools, we must regrettably consider closing this discretionary service. However, we will continue to lobby government for additional funding for schools to provide good quality meals.”

Consultation Process Underway

The council has initiated a five-week consultation, running until 11 October, to gather feedback from schools, nurseries, staff, and other stakeholders. The consultation will also assess the proposal to cease all services related to maintaining catering equipment.

Alternative Options for Schools and Nurseries

Hampshire County Council is exploring two main alternatives for schools and nurseries to meet their catering needs after the proposed closure. The first option is for schools to independently arrange their own catering provision through the existing private sector market, which the council describes as “active and well-established.”

Alternatively, the council has proposed a managed outsourcing service, where it would procure and oversee the supply of meals from external providers on behalf of schools and nurseries, allowing them to buy into this centralised solution.

Next Steps

Feedback from the consultation will be reviewed, and the council will present a recommended course of action to Councillor Steve Forster, the Cabinet Member for Education, at a Decision Day meeting in November.