A report by the Director for Children, Families and Education provided an update to the progress of the working group of the provision of food and activities for children in school holidays during the COVID 19 pandemic.

Members were reminded that a report presented to the Children, Young People and Education Committee on 1 December 2020 provided an update following the proposal agreed by the Policy and Resources Committee in respect of the provision of free school meals in the school holidays during the COVID 19 pandemic. The report explained that the Policy and Resources Committee agreed a proposal for a project co-ordinated on behalf of the Council by local charity Neo Community, working in partnership with schools and local community- based feeing groups and organisations, to provide food and activities to children eligible for Free School Meals over the Christmas 2020, February half term 2021 and Easter 2021 holidays. This built upon learning from the operation of the Edsential Holiday Activity Fund over the summer, providing an adaptation of a successful model of delivery.

Members heard how the Working Group had met on 21 December 2020 and 18 January 2021 to be informed of progress and to agree next steps. Members were then advised that during the Christmas holiday period, 23 organisations were involved in the distribution of 8071 hampers and 9961 activity packs that were delivered to those eligible children.

Members were informed that the overall budget of the DWP Covid Winter Grant Scheme (£385,790) ad the Budget Tranche 4 (£200,000) is £585,790. The actual spend for Christmas 2020 was £439, 621 with an additional projected spend of £243, 205 for February half term. The total projected spend was £682,287. It was reported that the estimated contingency for the project is up to £97,037. The way in which the budget was allocated was detailed within the report.

It was reported that individual hampers were costed at £20 each per week, with an enhancement for larger families. Members were advised that the budget attributed to the programme was aimed at a 56% take up rate, based upon delivery of the programme in the summer, but with additional contingency set aside anticipating increased demand over Christmas.  In practice, there had been a 66% take up rate from eligible children, and 45% take up rate from early years settings and additionally two colleges requested support. Members were further advised that contingency had been built into the projects costing in order to support this.

Members were advised that the next steps are to continue working alongside organisations to deliver hampers and activity packs during the February half – term and for the Working Group to continue to meet on a monthly basis.

On a motion by Councillor W Clements and seconded by Councillor M McLaughlin it was:

Resolved – That the Children, Young People and Education Committee note the progress of the Working Group for the Provision of Food and Activities in School Holidays during the COVID-19 Pandemic.