The Head of Legal Services introduced the report of the Director of Children, Families and Education. The report noted that during the COVID 19 pandemic, the committee had agreed that a working group be established on the recommendation of the Policy and Resources Committee, who had 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 feeding groups and organisations, to provide food and activities to children eligible for Free School Meals over the school holidays. This built upon learning from the operation of the Edsential Holiday Activity Fund over the summer, providing for adaptation of a successful model of delivery.

A recommendation arising from the December 2020 report, was that the committee establish a Working Group with key partners to explore options in relation to supporting children with free school meals in the medium to longer term. This report provided the final recommendations of the Working Group.

The Head of Legal Services noted that the report had been published with an incorrect recommendation and that recommendation three should read:

“the working group be dissolved and ongoing work of the HAF programme be reported to members on a regular basis.”

Members agreed this amended wording.

Resolved – That:

1.  The work as reported to the Holiday Activity Fund working group undertaken by Edsential and Wirral Council be acknowledged and supported;

2.  The work undertaken to include children who are not entitled to free school meals and the long term planning to continue with this be noted and supported; and

3.  the working group be dissolved and ongoing work of the HAF programme be reported to members on a regular basis.