Guidance For Schools
- School meals kitchens are the joint responsibility of Edwards and Ward and the LEA and are maintained primarily for the production and service of schools meals.
- Access to the kitchen should be restricted to authorised personnel only during normal kitchen operating hours to ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act and Food Safety Act and other relevant Regulations
- If the school wishes to use the kitchen or to allow other parties use of the kitchen facility, but only outside of normal kitchen operating hours, this can usually be arranged. In the first instance, the school must seek the agreement of their E&W District Manager. If any problems arise with regard to permission, the school should contact the Contracts Team.
- If, during the letting, equipment or machinery is to be used by the school or other party then E&W may require a member of their staff to be present to supervise this. The cost of this service will be chargeable to the school and can be passed on to the user.
- If the other party is a PTA or a voluntary body then, before using the kitchen, they will need to have Public Liability Insurance cover (minimum of £2.5million), with a provision of food & beverages extension.
- If the third party is neither of the above then, in addition to the above mentioned insurance cover, Employers Liability Insurance (minimum of £10million) will be required.
- It is the school's responsibility to ensure that the required insurance cover is in place at the time of booking and it is recommended that copies of certificates are obtained.
- It is recommended that those involved with food preparation & serving should have received training in food handling commensurate with the duties they will be undertaking
- Use of the school kitchen by other parties is allowed on the proviso that the kitchen, ancillary areas and equipment must be left clean and tidy after use. The cost of any additional cleaning carried out by E&W staff following a letting will be chargeable to the school and can be passed on to the user.
- Use of the school kitchen by other parties is allowed on the proviso that no food or other consumable items belonging to E&W are used. The cost of any items used will be chargeable to the school and can be passed on to the user.
- Any damage to fixtures or equipment must be reported by the user to the school who should then advise the E&W staff in the kitchen and the Contracts Team helpdesk (0118 974 6277). Any equipment rendered unsafe as a result of damage during the letting period must be clearly marked as such. The Contracts Team will arrange for repairs to be carried out, the cost of which will be chargeable to the school and can be passed on to the user.
For any queries please contact a member of the Contracts Team as follows:
E-mail: cpucontractsprocurementunit@wokingham.gov.uk
Mandy Dale
Helpdesk Coordinator
Tel: 0118 9746277
Nicky Reilly
Contracts Officer
Tel: 0118 9746174
Belinda Kennedy
Contracts and Procurement Officer
Tel: 0118 9746283
Rachael Maughan
Contracts and Procurement Manager
Tel: 0118 9746279
