RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1)     approves the award to Contractor B, as defined within the report, a contract for provision of the school meals catering service at Merton primary and special schools for a period of 3 years from 1 August 2016, with an option to extend for up to two further years at the discretion of the council.

2)     delegates to the Director of Corporate Services to exercise, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and the Director of Children, Schools and Families, in accordance with Contract Standing Orders (CSO 37.6) that authority be, the Council’s option to grant one or more extensions of the contract term for any period up to two further years beyond the expiry of the initial contract term on 31 July 2019.

3)     note that as a result of the award the price per meal will reduce, as detailed in the report.