Purpose

In March 2023, Cabinet approved the recommendations of the report ‘Juniper – a three-year plan for children’s health and community wealth.’  The Business Plan and Vision Document outlines in more details of how the company is taking that three-year plan forwards.

It outlines the financial strategy, to take the company back into surplus over the next three years without compromising the delivery of high quality certified meals and industry leading terms and conditions including Real London Living wage as a minimum and Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

The vision shows both an appetite for innovation, to overcome the challenges faced in a competitive market where school contracts must be won and then retained for the service to remain viable at a time of labour shortages and high and rising food costs

Decision

Decision:

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree:

i)  That Cabinet, acting as Shareholder for the Council, agree the Business Plan for Juniper Ventures.

Alternatives Considered

a)  To do nothing would mean to not approve the Business Plan for the Council Company. A Business Plan with shareholder support is an important tool which sets the strategic direction for the Company aligned to the Council’s needs and therefore it is recommended to accept the Business Plan.