Case for transfer of Council catering, cleaning and janitorial services to be considered

17th March 2016

A full business case for the transfer of catering, cleaning and janitorial services from The Highland Council's Care and Learning Service to High Life Highland is to be considered at a meeting of The Highland Council on 12 May 2016.

The Council is to organise a seminar as soon as possible for Members to discuss the benefits and principles of transferring to High Life Highland.

Councillor Drew Millar, Chair the Council's Education, Children’s and Adult Service Committee said: Catering, cleaning and janitorial services are one part of the Management of Schools Programme currently underway by the Council to enhance and support schools and Head Teachers.

I am delighted that the committee has agreed for the Care and Learning Service to proceed to collect information for the preparation of a business case which will examine the case for transfer of catering, cleaning and janitorial services to High Life Highland. We will organise a seminar as soon as practically possible once we have all the necessary information gathered for the development of the business case.

This is absolutely about improving and making more efficient the services that we have and it is not about privatisation. Neither is this about job cuts, it’s about providing these services to all schools across Highland - where currently for some schools they do not exist - in a more efficient and effective way.

Wick Councillor Bill Fernie, chairman of Resources Committee and Budget Leader said, - At a time of reducing resources we need to look hard at how we deliver services. Highland High Life set up when I was chairman of the Education Committee has proven to be very efficient and has save the council substantial amounts in the past few years. Given that the organisation works out of many of our buildings from schools to libraries and swimming pools across the region it makes sense to see if even more efficiencies can be found using their services.

 

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