Agenda and minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare:

·        Any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        Any prejudicial interests or

·        Any disclosable pecuniary interests

Which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

Members were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests which they may have in respect of business on the agenda.  None were declared.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public from the meeting during the consideration of annex B to agenda item 4 on the grounds that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). This information is classed as exempt under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Resolved:  That the public and press be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of annex B to agenda Item 4 on the grounds that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) This information is classed as exempt under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak on an item on the agenda or an issue within the Task Group’s remit can do so.

Anyone who wishes to register or who requires further information is requested to contact the Democracy Officers for this meeting, details of whom are listed at the foot of this agenda.

The deadline for registering to speak is 5:00pm on Friday 22 November 2013.

It was reported that there were no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report presents further information in support of the ongoing scrutiny review of school meals, being undertaken by a Task Group of the Learning and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee.   

Members considered a report that presented further information in support of the ongoing scrutiny review of school meals.

Officers gave an update and stated that since the Department of Education had announced that from September 2014 all key stage 1 pupils would receive free school meals, representatives from the Local Authority and ISS, the Local Authority’s current school meals provider, had met to discuss the implications this would have on schools and the potential impact on their current school meals contract. 

The Task Group welcomed a representative from ISS to the meeting and recognised that the recent announcement would lead to a substantial increase in the numbers receiving a school meal. ISS explained their solutions to the challenges they faced and what offer they had made to the authority.

Members raised their concerns and discussed the cost implications. Officers confirmed they were working with schools to help address the affect this change may have especially on the current kitchen facilities, space, pupils, staff and the running of the school day.

As part of the review the Task Group members were visiting a number of schools over the lunchtime period to view the facilities and to raise questions with the pupils, teaching and catering staff. So far York High, Robert Wilkinson, Carr Junior and Joseph Rowntrees School had been visited. Members gave a brief update on their visits and agreed to send all feedback to the Scrutiny Officer who would collate the information for insertion in the draft final report for this review.

Discussions took place regarding moving this review forward and it was felt it would be beneficial to receive some parental input. Officers agreed to send a press release to  the York Press requesting parent’s feedback on school meals.¹

Members also agreed to note any equalities issues and would ask relevant questions on their visits to ensure there were no barriers at meal times for any pupils.

Resolved: 

(i)           That the new information provided in support of this review as shown in paragraphs 17 & 18 of the report and at exempt Annex B be noted.

(ii)           That the feedback from all School visits to be with the Scrutiny Officer by mid December.

(iii)        That an advert be placed in the York Press and all comments collated by mid December.

(iv)        That the final draft report be completed by mid February.

(v)          That two meeting dates be circulated around Members to conclude the work on this review.

Reason: To ensure compliance with scrutiny procedures, protocols and workplans.