COMPLAINTS about value for money have prompted a review of school meals provided in Wiltshire by council contractor Sodexho.

Wiltshire County Council's overview and scrutiny management committee has set up a task group to review the schools catering element of the contract, one of four set up in 2001 which was supposed to run for seven years.

The committee heard on Monday schools have complained the £2,600 they have to pay over and above the cost of the meals is too much, although it comes from county council funds.

The cash is said to cover Sodexho's management costs and investment, and to ensure the contract remains financially viable.

John Thomson, chairman of the overview and scrutiny committee, said: "The task group is expected to look at the difficulty of balancing the desires of children, adults and school governing bodies about the contract and variety of meals, and the effective use of kitchen space.

"Members are also charged with the task of investigating the potential long-term health and social benefits of school meals."

Sodexho was recently in the news nationally after the Tillery Valley Foods factory, which provides prepared meals for hospitals and meals on wheels, though not schools, was featured on a Channel Four documentary that revealed less than hygienic practices at the plant.