West Kent has awarded contracts to a catering services provider who will provide catering services at 2 extra care schemes. The catering provider will provide a nutritional standard lunchtime 3 course meal, including a vitamin enriched drink and tea or coffee, 7 days a week, all year round inclusive of all weekends and Bank Holidays.

Extra care housing is accommodation designed with the needs of vulnerable, older people in mind, generally over age 55, who wish to live independently, but are unable to do everything for themselves and therefore with varying levels of care and support available on-site. People who live in extra care accommodation have their own self contained homes, their own front doors and a legal right to occupy the property.

These properties are owned by West Kent and residents all rent their homes from West Kent in the form of a tenancy agreement. Communal facilities are provided at these schemes, including a resident's lounge, laundry and a dining room. Residents pay a weekly rent to occupy these properties and also a service charge to cover communal facilities and services. Emerald is the West Kent Housing Association brand for all accommodation that we provide for the over 55's.

The meal service at these schemes is an integral part of the offer to support residents to live independently for as long as possible and is open to everyone living in the scheme, in addition to guest of tenants and West Kent.

There are 2 Contracts — 1 for each Lot. Each Lot covers 1 scheme.

Under the Contracts, the catering provider will be responsible for all aspects of the catering service including food procurement, menu planning, order taking, marketing, staff recruitment and training.

Further details of each of the 2 Lots are set below.

The Contracts will each last for an initial period of 5 years, with an option to extend for a further 5 years at West Kent's discretion, giving a total potential term of 10 years.