Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Education, Works & Skills.

This report provides an update on the actions taken in response to the recommendations of the ‘Growth in Free School Meals’ Scrutiny Review conducted by this Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Tim Bowman, tim.bowman@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Education, Works & Skills submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update on the actions taken in response to the recommendations of the ‘Growth in Free School Meals’ Scrutiny Review conducted by this Scrutiny Committee.

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·       Members welcomed the update and appreciated the action taken to date.

·       Clarification was sought on the Stockport Council school scheme and the sustainability of the programme including the reference to external funding. In response, it was stated that the ‘household support fund’ was unlikely to continue as it was a one-year agreement to fund the school from the reserves, but consideration needed to be given to the Council’s current financial position.

·       Members requested that a further update be submitted to the Committee in 12-months time.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That an update be submitted to the Committee in 12-months time.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education.

The reports sets out the draft Cabinet Response to the recommendation contained in the Children & Families Scrutiny Committee’s scrutiny review with regard to Growth in Free Schools Meals.

The Cabinet is invited to endorse and adopt the response set out in the report.

Officer contact: Tim Bowman on 07977 661073 or email: tim.bowman@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education (Councillor Wendy Meikle) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Cabinet to agree its response to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review with regard to the ‘Growth in Free Schools Meals’.

RESOLVED – (1) That the response to the recommendations contained in the ‘Growth in Free Schools Meals’ scrutiny review carried out by the Children & Families Scrutiny Committee be approved.

(2) That the Cabinet’s gratitude and appreciation be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel and its contributors.