Have your say on proposed changes to the Excellent Homes for Life Bistro Service
This consultation ended on 10 November 2022.
Currently, there are three council-owned extra care housing schemes in Kirklees in the Excellent Homes for Life contract. Each building has over 40 rented flats, along with communal facilities including a tenant lounge and activity and exercise rooms.
Each scheme also has a commercial-quality catering kitchen and dining room facility. A catering service, called the Bistro Service, is provided within each of the extra care housing schemes. This is for use by tenants within the schemes as well as staff and the public.
Findings and next steps (January 2024)
The full summary of the consultation findings can be found at Involve: Have your say on proposed changes to the Excellent Homes for Life Bistro Service
- The consultation responses confirmed that the majority of respondents did not want the Bistro Service to close.
- The majority of respondents were also not in favour of the introduction of a service charge for provision of the Bistro Service.
- A number of additional comments were received including an ask to the council to explore 3rd party catering provision as an alternative.
These findings were reviewed internally, and it was determined that the current Bistro Service is to remain open at this time while active steps to explore alternative catering provisions/providers are undertaken in 2024.
Following the conclusion of our exploration into alternative provisions, a report will be submitted for consideration and final decision.
How the Bistro Service currently works
A catering offer is a well-established element of many extra care schemes. It promotes good health and wellbeing outcomes, giving people an additional option of access to a hot meal.
Each of the extra care flats are self-contained and have their own kitchen. Tenants can therefore choose to prepare their own meals or use the Bistro Service.
The Bistro Service is currently provided by the council, through Kirklees Catering Service. A choice of breakfasts and hot lunches is on offer every day of the year.
Current cost of the Bistro Service
- People living in the extra care housing schemes do not pay any service charge to access the Bistro Service.
- The cost of running the service is solely covered by Kirklees Council.
- All users of the service pay for any meals they choose on a daily basis.
- Approximately one-third of people living in the schemes use the Bistro Service.
- Average daily income from all three schemes is £300.
Future cost of running the Bistro Service
- From March 2024, after taking into account the average daily income, the cost of running the service for one year is estimated to be £194,000.
- That is over £530 a day across all three schemes.
Due to the costs involved, Kirklees Council is unable to continue paying towards this service.