Decision details

COVID Winter Grants Extension Funding Free School Meal Provision

Reference: D52869

Decision Maker: Director of Children and Families

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

The Department for Work and Pensions have announced an extension to the COVID Winter Grants Scheme until 16th April 2021 having initially intended to be ending on 31st March. Previous. Leeds will be receiving £986,468. The funding has been allocated to local authorities across the country to provide food and fuel support to vulnerable families and individuals. 

A decision is required to confirm the allocation of this funding to provide children entitled to free school meals, families in poverty and with no recourse to public funds with free school meals over the Easter holidays.

This key decision is to accept £986,468 of this funding, which is will be allocated to Children & Families, who will work with Catering Leeds and schools in Leeds directly to provide support.

In addition it is recommended that Leeds City Council accepts any further future grants made by Government to provide meals over school holiday periods for children eligible for free school meals or living in poverty.

Decision:

The Director of Children and Families agreed to;

a)  Accept the £986,468 COVID Winter Grant Extension funding from the Department for Work and Pensions for 2021.

b)  Exempt this decision from call-in, in order for the funding to be used for provision of free school meals to children living in poverty in the city for the Easter 2021 school holidays.

c)  Accept any further future funding allocated from Government for the provision of free school meals for school holiday periods for children eligible for free school meals and/ or living in poverty.

 

Reason Key: Financial Impact>£500K;

Wards Affected: (All Wards);

If the decision has not been published in the List of Forthcoming Key Decisions for at least 28 clear days, the reason why it would be impracticable to delay the decision:: If this decision is delayed, then provision will not be in place by the Easter holidays due to the lead in time for confirming process and funding with schools. This will significantly impact on children and families, who will then not be able to access FSM provision over the holidays. The lead in time has been very short due to the late announcement of the scheme, the urgency due to COVID, and the sign off from DWP only been provided in March 2021.

If exempt from Call-In, the reason why Call-In would prejudice the interests of the Council or the public:: This decision is exempt from call in because a decision needs to be taken urgently. If this decision is delayed, then provision will not be in place by the Easter holidays due to the lead in time for confirming process and funding with schools. This will significantly impact on children and families, who will then not be able to access FSM provision over the holidays. The lead in time has been very short due to the late announcement of the scheme, the urgency due to COVID, and the sign off from DWP only been provided in March 2021.

Portfolio Holder: The Executive Member for Learning, Skills & Employment and The Executive Member for Children, Families & Adults

Other reasons / organisations consulted

N/A

Contact: Lee Hemsworth, Chief Officer 0113 3784496 Email: lee.hemsworth@leeds.gov.uk.

Publication date: 17/03/2021

Date of decision: 25/03/2021

Accompanying Documents: