Current students will not be adversely affected by proposed changes to loss-making catering operations at University College Isle of Man, the Education Minister insists.

Graham Cregeen explained in Tynwald that the plan is to merge the UCM refectory operations with hospitality and catering education and training.

He said that the refectory is currently in deficit by £106,000 and there is a ’high expenditure of staff to student ratio’ in catering and hospitality.

The proposal will merge the current separate teams into one, under the responsibility of a commercial, education and training manager and head chef, the deputy manager, the Minister said.

Unions say a total of 11 jobs are under threat but four new roles will be created, making a net loss of seven.

But Mr Cregeen told Tynwald: ’This proposal will offer greater value for money, by delivering efficiency savings, and will ensure that the refectory and hospitality and catering division are sustainable into the future.

’Current students will not be adversely affected by this. Courses and qualifications will continue next year and as they do now.’

opportunities

Mr Cregeen said students would retain the opportunities they have to run the college restaurant and café - but they will not be asked to undertake work that a paid member of staff should do.

Members of the public will still be able to come to the UCM for dining, he added.

The Education Minister explained that UCM had been transferred to the DHSC’s catering shared service in April 2014 - but from March this year it had been transferred back to his department.

Replying to a separate question from Onchan MHK Julie Edge, said that in 2014 there was a net operating loss of £91,300 made up of £281,500 of income target and a £234,100 employee cost, and other operating costs of £138,700.

Employee costs related to 10.2 full-time equivalents, including a vacancy for one full-time equivalent.

But with the transfer back to his department, the 2017-18 net expenditure budget for the refectory was £106,000, made up of an income target of £227,000, employee costs of £203,000 and other costs of £130,000.

costs

The employee costs related to 7.6 full-time equivalents.

Mrs Edge said she was a little puzzled by this. ’Employee numbers have gone down and the basic budget has gone up to £106,000. But you have also stated that the income target is reduced in 2018,’ she said.

Mr Cregeen replied: ’Initially they thought that the income target was too high and what you have had is a number of people have transferred to a different site and they are trying to be more realistic.

’What we are trying to do at UCM is to try and make some efficiencies and to try and make it fit for purpose.’

Ayre and Michael MHK Tim Baker asked when the changes are expected to take place.

The Minister replied: ’We are currently in a stage of consultation with the staff.

’I would hope that we would be able to have these changes for the next educational year.’

Seven part-time catering assistant staff will be reduced to five plus a supervisor. Prospect union negotiator Angela Moffatt said jobs at risk include part-time catering assistants, three lecturers, a technician and a programme manager.