Structure
12. The Refreshment Department's mission statement
is "to deliver the best quality service with an enthusiastic
and professional team". As at 14 October 2005, the number
of staff in post was 287 full-time equivalent staff, against
a full complement of 313.[5]
The Director of Catering Services at the head of the Department
sits on the Board of Management and is supported by two office
staff and six Managers:[6]
- Executive chef (direct manager
of 93 staff, functional manager of 43 staff)
- Operations Manager in charge of the Palace of
Westminster (in charge of 98 staff)
- Operations Manager for the Outbuildings (in charge
of 93 staff)
- Retail Manager (in charge of 3 retail staff).
- Human Resources and Development Manager (in charge
of 3 staff responsible for Human Resources and training).
- Finance Officer/Business Development Manager
(in charge of 22 staff in the Accounts Office, Purchasing and
Stores and IT support).
13. In conjunction with the Executive Chef, the two
Operations Managers head a structure of professional catering
staff including: managers, supervisors, chefs, butchers, kitchen
staff, cashiers, waiting staff, bar attendants, baristas, assistants,
porters and store keepers across the Parliamentary Estate. A senior
Sous Chef leads the kitchens in the outbuildings (including 27
chefs and 16 stewards) and the Head Chef leads the kitchen in
the Main Building (including 50 chefs and 30 stewards).
14. The costs of the Refreshment Department are met
from two sources: public funds from the House of Commons Administration
Account and receipts from customers. The Departmental Trading
Account bears all costs of sales (the cost of the food, drink
and souvenirs), staffing costs, and operating costs (such as linen,
cleaning and light equipment), and collects income from customers
using the Department's services.[7]
The Trading Account does not bear the cost of capital works, maintenance,
furnishings, utilities or accommodation costs; these are largely
met from the budget of the Parliamentary Estates Directorate.
The RD operates at a loss - its staff costs alone amount to more
than income received from customers.[8]
That loss —typically around £5 million a year—is
met from the House of Commons budget and is often referred to
as the level of subsidy.
House of Lords Refreshment Department
15. Within the Parliamentary Estate is another organisation
carrying out similar operations to the Commons RD. The House of
Lords Refreshment Department is, however, significantly smaller,
employing 107 staff (including 16 managerial and 5 clerical posts),
and with fewer outlets. Both Departments are to an extent competing
for banqueting and retail business. The Lords' main kitchen is
currently undergoing major refurbishment and many of the Lords
outlets are closed, which makes any meaningful comparison of the
two Departments difficult. We comment further on the relationship
between the two Houses later in this Report.[9]
1 Ev 18 Back
2
Ibid. Back
3 3
House of Commons Corporate Business Plan 2006, p 5 Back
4
Qq 59, 60 Back
5
All subsequent figures in this section refer to the staff complement
rather than the number of staff in post Back
6
Report of the House of Commons Commission for 2004-05, HC (2004-05)
65, p 81 Back
7
Ev 18 Back
8
Ev 26 Back
9
See paragraph 126 Back
