Agenda item

This report provides details on the work that is taking place to implement a pilot project to extend Universal Free School Meals (“UFSM”) to Key Stage 2 children. The project is designed to deliver on the Executive’s election manifesto commitment to create a cross city alliance to address disadvantage and the cost-of-living crisis. Findings from the pilot project will then be used to inform any full city roll out of UFSM.

Resolved:

                      i.         that implementation of the pilot project that focuses on

delivery of a lunchtime offer at Westfield Primary School, subject to the pilot remaining within available funding, between January 2024 and December 2024 is approved;

                    ii.         that subject to additional funding from the Community Fund being found, a breakfast offer for all pupils attending Burton Green Primary Academy is piloted for the period January 2024 to December 2024 is approved; and

                   iii.         to delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Children’s and Education,(and their delegated officers) in consultation with the Director of Governance and the Chief Finance Officer (and their respective delegated officers) to assist the pilot schools (and their respective Trusts) to negotiate, draft and conclude any necessary contractual arrangements with existing catering contractors at the schools to implement the pilot project, including (but not limited to) any necessary amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, updates and/or variations to any existing contractual arrangements, in line with the Council’s obligations under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (the “Procurement Regs”) and the Contract Procedure Rules set out in Appendix 11 of the Council’s Constitution (the “Council’s CPRs”), as well as any contract procedure rules and/or standing orders of the chosen schools and (where applicable) their Trusts; and

                  iv.         to delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Children’s and Education, (and their delegated officers) in consultation with the Director of Governance and the Chief Finance Officer (and their respective delegated officers) to commission and negotiate, draft and conclude any necessary contractual arrangements (including (but not limited to) any necessary amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, updates and/or variations thereto) with the University of York to provide assistance with the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data sets from the pilot project, in line with the Council’s obligations under the Procurement Regs and the Council’s CPRs, as well as any contract procedure rules and/or standing orders of the chosen schools and (where applicable) their Trusts.

Reason:    to provide more detailed information to inform the planning of any future scale up of the project due to the contrast in circumstances of the proposed pilot schools. The pilot will also be used to explore the financial sustainability of the delivery of the school meals offer, both at Westfield Primary School and to fully understand the implications and benefits of any future full city implementation.

The Assistant Director for Education and Skills outlined the proposal for a free school meals pilot at Westfield Primary School and subject to additional funding a breakfast offer for all pupils at Burton Green Primary Academy.

The Executive Leader welcomed the opportunity of the free school meals pilot. The Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education noted support he had seen for the proposal and that starting at Westfield would support some of the most disadvantaged children in the city. They confirmed that fund raising for the project as part of the established community fund was available. They noted that they would work with schools to introduce auto enrolment for free school meals for those currently eligible via central government funding. They confirmed that the Council would continue working alongside head teachers and noted that due to this partnership working the potential breakfast plot was considered.

Resolved:

                   i.        that implementation of the pilot project that focuses on

delivery of a lunchtime offer at Westfield Primary School, subject to the pilot remaining within available funding, between January 2024 and December 2024 is approved;

                  ii.        that subject to additional funding from the Community Fund being found, a breakfast offer for all pupils attending Burton Green Primary Academy is piloted for the period January 2024 to December 2024 is approved; and

                 iii.        to delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Children’s and Education,(and their delegated officers) in consultation with the Director of Governance and the Chief Finance Officer (and their respective delegated officers) to assist the pilot schools (and their respective Trusts) to negotiate, draft and conclude any necessary contractual arrangements with existing catering contractors at the schools to implement the pilot project, including (but not limited to) any necessary amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, updates and/or variations to any existing contractual arrangements, in line with the Council’s obligations under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (the “Procurement Regs”) and the Contract Procedure Rules set out in Appendix 11 of the Council’s Constitution (the “Council’s CPRs”), as well as any contract procedure rules and/or standing orders of the chosen schools and (where applicable) their Trusts; and

                iv.        to delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Children’s and Education, (and their delegated officers) in consultation with the Director of Governance and the Chief Finance Officer (and their respective delegated officers) to commission and negotiate, draft and conclude any necessary contractual arrangements (including (but not limited to) any necessary amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, updates and/or variations thereto) with the University of York to provide assistance with the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data sets from the pilot project, in line with the Council’s obligations under the Procurement Regs and the Council’s CPRs, as well as any contract procedure rules and/or standing orders of the chosen schools and (where applicable) their Trusts.

Reason:    to provide more detailed information to inform the planning of any future scale up of the project due to the contrast in circumstances of the proposed pilot schools. The pilot will also be used to explore the financial sustainability of the delivery of the school meals offer, both at Westfield Primary School and to fully understand the implications and benefits of any future full city implementation.