community cafe letter 2502

8/7/2019 community cafe letter 2502

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West Dunbartonshire CouncilCouncillor Martin Rooney B.Sc. (Hons) Soc Pol(Open)

Leader of the Opposition

Home Address:136 Broomhill Crescent

Bonhill, Alexandria

G83 9QL

Tel: (01389) 602562

Mobile: 07909 890 846

25 February 2011

Elaine MelroseExecutive Director of HEEDCouncil OfficesGarshake RoadDumbarton

Dear Elaine

Alexandria Community Cafe

As you know at the Special Council meeting on Wednesday 9th February, the Labour Group budget proposalsattempted to reverse the decision on all the Community Cafes but unfortunately this was not supported by Council.A subsequent Motion to Council from Councillor George Black required a suspension of Standing Orders, however

the SNP Administration voted against this. The original decision to close the Alexandria Community Education Centre Cafe was based on a report consideredat the HEED Committee in December 2010. The Report showed that there would be a net saving of 110,000 byclosing all of the Community Cafes. The total staffing costs were 160,000.

However, the Alexandria Cafe budgeted hours was approximately 4,000 hours and the staffing costs for 2010/2011were 40,000. The staffing costs for Alexandria CE Centre Cafe was based on 4 members of staff; 1 x 30 hour worker; 1 x 27 hour worker; 1 x 18 hour worker; and 1 x 10 hour worker.

Unfortunately, due to staff sickness the Alexandria Community Cafe has been working with reduced staffing. Onemember of staff was on sick from July 2010, and a second member of staff has been on sick leave since October 2010. The other two members of staff have provided the service since October 2010.

The staffing costs for the Community Cafe includes the two absent members of staff. As a result the staffing costof 40,000 per annum less the income generated from sales means that there is expected to be a net loss of 25,000 in 2010/2011. However some of the Community Cafes do generate a significant profit in their income andexpenditure ledger.

The income and expenditure for each of the cafes for 2010/2011 are outlined below. Please note that this onlycovers a ten month period, so those Cafes that generate a profit could expect to continue to do so over the nexttwo months.

Table Between April 2010 and January 2011 Cafes Income and Expenditure was:

ALEXANDRIAIncome 27,181.71Expenditure 16,203.32Profit 10,978.39

CONCORDIncome 26,545.22Expenditure 10,884.82Profit 15,660.40

HUB CLYDEBANKIncome 2,595.05Expenditure 1,465.03

DALMUIRIncome 9,863.07Expenditure 9,930.23

Council Offices

Garshake Road

Dumbarton

G82 3PU

Tel: (01389) 737602


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Profit 1,130.02 Loss 67.16

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The Alexandria Community Education Centre Cafe serves a community of approximately 24,000 people. The Caferegularly serves around 1,200 customers per week. In addition there are over 40 groups who also use theCommunity Education Centre and the Community Cafe. The potential for growing the customer base is significant as during school days hundreds of pupils from the Vale of Leven Academy go past the cafe each day but at present around 20 pupils use the service. The Centre currentlyprovides deals targeted at young people but this could be developed further. The Community Education Centre also currently allows groups and individuals to bring food and tea/coffee makingfacilities into the centre. This is another potential customer which could be expanded upon. For example a flask of tea/coffee can be provided at a cost of 9.50 and this would provide for 25 cups of tea/coffee.

I have been informed that the Cafe has to purchase its stock through the Council and as a result additional costsincluding VAT are added to the products. Staff believe that some local purchasing could reduce costs and increase

profits. Staff also believe that the pricing of products could be reviewed to increase margins, without negativelyimpacting on the customer base.

The Community Cafe also provides buffets for private parties and provides catering for other Council services,again this is an area which could be expanded upon and there are opportunities to increase income by increasingthe number and range of vending machines.

In addition, I have spoken with the staff and they believe that there is potential to provide the service more costeffectively by utilising minimum staffing.

Table 2: Centre Minimum Staffing Requirement

DAY Opening Staff TotalHours

Takings Night Opening Staff TotalHours

TakingsHours Hours

Mon 09:00-15:00

2 12 125 Mon 19:00 21:00

1 2 40

Tue 09:00-15:00

2 12 120 Tue Nil Nil

Wed 09:00-15:00

2 12 160 Wed 17:30 20:30

1 3 100

Thur 09:00-15:00

2 12 180 Thur 16:00 22:00

1 6 200

Fri 09:00-13:00

1 6 60 Fri 19:00 21:00

1 2 20

WeeklyTotals

54 645 13 360

TOTALS:

1. Total Hours per Week: 54 hours day plus 13 hours night = 67 hours per week.2. Annual Hours: 52 weeks x 67hours = 3,484 hours per annum.3. Income per week: 645 plus 360 = 1005.4. Annual Income: 52 weeks x 1005 = 52,260.5. Profit: Staff costs less income.

I am concerned that the decision to close the Alexandria Community Cafe, has not considered all of the potentialoptions for the retention of the service. It seems to me that a review of (i) staffing requirements; (ii) potential users;


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and (iii) the potential for increasing revenue from existing footfall might have provided other options. The AlexandriaCafe in particular appears to offer the potential for retention of the Community Cafe services.

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As you know the Community Cafes are set to close in April 2011. I would be pleased if you could provide me with

detailed costs for the retention of Alexandria Community Education Centre Cafe, based on the working hours inTable 2. It would also be useful to have a copy of the 2009/2010 Income and Expenditure for the Alexandria Cafe as this willgive an insight into what the Centre had generated previously. The loss of the Alexandria Community Education Centre will be devastating for the local community in Alexandriaand for the dedicated staff who have served their community for many years. The potential income from theCommunity Cafe suggests that the Cafe could be run as a going concern by a couple of individuals or even by acommunity group. Therefore should the Council go ahead with the planned closure in April, I would be pleased if you could also provide me with details of alternative options that could ensure that the Alexandria Community Cafeservice could be available to the local community.

Yours sincerely

COUNCILLOR MARTIN ROONEYWARD 1 - LOMOND

cc All Elected Members

Documents

community cafe letter 2502