The Council is currently exploring options for the future delivery of the schools catering service and whether it will continue to be a provider beyond 31st March 2026. If the Council decides not to continue providing the managed service, then schools will be required to make their own arrangements for procuring their schools catering provision. Each school will decide how to procure their requirements, one option is a joint procurement exercise on behalf of a consortium of schools to procure a managed catering service. To help inform such an exercise, the Council is undertaking this pre-market engagement stage to explore what is available and seek feedback and guidance from the supply market.