Castle View brings in the lawyers as redundancy row continues

Contract caterer Castle View is seeking legal advice over the way West Sussex council put its school meals contract out to tender amid continuing controversy over who should pay redundancy costs for workerslaid off.

The council announced this week that it had once again awarded the contract for primary school meals to Gardner Merchant.

The service, previously provided by Castle View, is switching from hot meals to sandwiches.

Gardner Merchant won the contract earlier this year but withdrew after a row with Castle View over who should pay redundancy costs of up to £300,000.

The council then amended the contract and put it out to tender again.

West Sussex still maintains transfer of undertakings rules do not apply because the service is changing. But Castle View insists the incoming contractor is the one changing the contract and should meet the redundancy costs.