Decision

Notice of Executive Decision

Published in Accordance with The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 (“the Regulations”)

Title:

Grocery Voucher Scheme Contract Variation

Key?

Yes

Urgent?

No

Decision Maker:

Portfolio Lead Member – Communities and Libraries

Decision Date:

16 September 2026

Published:

16 September 2026

For Call-in?

Yes

Call-in Expiry:

23 September 2026

Purpose:

The report sets out a proposal to increase the value of an existing contract with Reward Gateway (UK) Ltd for the Edenred Grocery Voucher Scheme. Through this contract, schools in Waltham Forest purchase grocery vouchers and distribute these to families entitled to benefits-related free school meals during the school holidays to ensure children receive free school meals throughout the whole year.

Decision Taken:

I, the The Portfolio Lead Member for Communities and Libraries hereby approves the contract variation request for a contract increase of £1,622,717, resulting in a new total contract value of £2,393,402.

And I have instructed the proper officer to publish this written record of my decision.

Reason:

As set out in the report.

Alternative Options Considered:

No alternative options were considered as this contract is in place until October 2028 and is required for the delivery of grocery vouchers to families eligible for benefits-related free school meals during school holidays, as part of the agreed delivery of the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Exploring other alternative options would result in significant process changes for staff, schools and families and require a new contract to be procured to deliver this scheme, with no evidence any alternatives could provide better value for money.

DOCUMENTS

All relevant documents must be published at least five clear days before the meeting, unless the proper officer agrees some or all of the documents contain exempt or confidential information, as defined by the Regulations.

List of documents to be submitted to the Decision-Maker1:

As per the agenda pack.

Details of any exempt2 or confidential information3:

Open

Background Papers Used:

None

Conflicts of interest declared by any executive member consulted by the decision-maker:

None

Dispensations granted in respect of above conflicts of interest:

Not applicable

Signed __________________________________________

                                         Portfolio Lead Member – Communities and Libraries

Date______________________________20 August 2026

1 Nothing in the Regulations authorises or requires documents relating to that decision to be disclosed to the public, or made available for public inspection where the documents contain confidential information or where the disclosure of the documents would give rise to the disclosure of exempt information or the advice of a political adviser or assistant. (Regulations 20(3)(a) and (b))

2 “Exempt information” has the meaning given by section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972 (exempt information and power to vary Schedule 12A) (Regulation 2)

3 “Confidential information” means information provided to the local authority by a government department on terms

(however expressed) which forbid the disclosure of the information to the public; or information the disclosure of which to the public is prohibited by or under any enactment or by the order of a court, and in either case, a reference to the obligation of confidence is to be construed accordingly” (Regulation 2).