Union chiefs have urged Halton Council to roll back 'penny-pinching' plans to axe its school meals service, as it was revealed more than a quarter of impacted schools are yet to find alternative arrangements as the clock ticks down on its closure.

Councillors voted to scrap the service last year as part of wider cost-cutting measures, with every school in the borough being given until the end of March next year to put alternative provision in place.

But a new council report has revealed the number of schools which have transferred arrangements so far is lower than anticipated.

Three private companies - Orian Solutions, Edsential and Mellors - have so far been appointed by various schools. But the council continues to provide catering to 27 of the original 47 schools which were using its service. Of that 27, a total of 14 have indicated they will be appointing providers, which leaves 13 that have yet to do so.

Halton Council said any school that has not provided a transfer date by October 1 will receive a termination letter, but stressed all schools will be delivering meals until they have secured an alternative provider.

A council spokeswoman, said: “The termination letter is final notice that the council is withdrawing a school meals service which will take effect from March 31, 2025.

“We are simply notifying schools to engage with an alternative provider during the intervening period. This has been a lengthy process with an ongoing active programme of work with schools to support the transition and providing appropriate timescales and support.”

But a union leader claims delays in appointing a new caterer was down to school bosses being ‘reluctant’ to move away from the current model. Unison and GMB unions had been involved with the discussions since February last year, shortly after Full Council voted the measures through as part of the council's annual budget.

Keith Bradley, UNISON regional organiser, said: "The slow uptake of private provision of school catering services in Halton is no surprise. Academy leaders and governors are reluctant to move away from the current system. They don’t want a two-tier workforce in their schools with new starters on lower pay and worse conditions, with some already struggling to recruit catering staff."

A report to council chiefs last year warned catering staff were leaving the service or transferring to other departments due to the uncertainty caused by the changes.

Mr Bradley added: "This outsourcing scheme is nothing but penny-pinching, with the council trying to save money on the wages of already low-paid staff. "It’s encouraging that education leaders can see this for what it is and keeping clear. The council must reconsider its position."

The report said the school meals service currently operates at a £500k deficit budget, and that failure to terminate the service by March 31 next year would result in a percentage of the debt burden being carried into future financial years.