Replies

• Jayne, We've not really had much reaction to the menu changes in West Dunbartonshire at all (neither positive nor negative) however we made a lot of the changes when developing last year's menus and the change has therefore been almost unnoticeable this year. Uptake is still lower than pre-pandemic however this is attributed to Covid rather than to any changes with the menu. Catering staff have been excellent and are all very positive about the menu changes. They are still working in challenging environments due to Covid restrictions but, as we would expect, they just get on with the job.
  4th May 2021

• Hi Jennifer/Jayne,

  We have extended our temporary contracts for Day Cleaners until end of academic year in June.  I'm guessing that we will need to extend into next academic year and I'll need to develop a proposal to secure further funding.

  I'd be really keen to understand what others are doing?

  Thanks Lynda

  
  
  
  9th April 2021

• Hi Rick. Here at WDC we have been phasing out contractual O/T on a "wither on the vine" basis since 2013 for our Facilities Assistants. We still have a handful of staff who have 4.5 contractual hours O/T weekly and we use those hours to cover some of the weekly lets which we have at schools in the evenings. Like SLC, Call outs are attended by a private keyholding company who are on the Scotland excel contract. Our Facilities Assistants provide at least 1 clear pathway to the school entrance by 8.30am which allows the FA an hour to clear and salt a path after starting at 7.30am. We don't clear play grounds, car parks, etc. Regards Lynda
  4th March 2021

• Hi Judith Our recipes are on our website. If you click on a dish from the menu it will take you to the recipe. We presently serve 160mls as a Primary portion and don't plan to change it at present. https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/school-meals/meals/starters/lentil-soup-202021/
  4th February 2021

• Hi Neil, I absolutely agree with Jayne that we will definitely need additional cleaners for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, in WDC we are working on temporary contracts on a term-by-term basis. Hopefully once Scot Gov funding has been established we may be in a position to make longer term decisions. I have 55 additional temp cleaners and have just renewed their contracts to up to end of Academic year in June 2021. I suspect they'll be needed beyond then but I'll need to make the business case to secure additional funding nearer the time.
  4th February 2021