Issue - meetings

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to note that the wording at section 3.2.5 in the report should reflect that the Pupil Equity Fund was not solely for those who were eligible for free school meals;

(ii)       to request that officers highlight information on free school meals on the Council website;

(iii)      to request that officers investigate whether videos highlighting the initiative could be created by schoolchildren to be placed on school websites;

(iv)      to note the current work streams for ensuring maximum registration and update of free school meals;

(v)       to endorse the future proposed work streams for ensuring maximum registration and uptake of free school meals;

(vi)      to instruct the Chief Officer (Integrated Children’s Services) to bring a report to Committee outlining the impact of the proposed work streams for ensuring maximum registration and uptake of free school meals following submission of figures to the Scottish Government;

(vii)    to instruct the Chief Officer (Integrated Children’s Services) to bring a report to Committee prior to the close of each school year;

(a)             detailing the numbers registered for and taking  free school meals by school and

(b)             assessing the progress made by implementing the new work streams and detailing any required adjustments for the following school year; and

(viii)   to ensure that as future work streams are progressed that it at all times it be recognised that there may be individuals who have difficulty accessing digital platforms to allow registration and to endeavour in these cases to assist so that barriers are not created in accessing free school meal services as a result of this digital initiative.

With reference to the Council Budget meeting of 6 March 2018, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer which sought endorsement for the proposed approach to ensure the substantial increase of the registration and subsequent uptake of free school meals throughout the city.

The report recommended:-

that Committee –

(a)       note the current workstreams for ensuring maximum registration and uptake of free school meals; and

(b)       endorse the future proposed workstreams for ensuring maximum registration and uptake of free school meals.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)        to note that the wording at section 3.2.5 in the report should reflect that the Pupil Equity Fund was not solely for those who were eligible for free school meals, and that it in fact aimed to improve the outcomes of some of the most vulnerable children and young people;

(ii)       to request that officers highlight information on free school meals on the Council website;

(iii)      to request that officers investigate whether videos highlighting the initiative could be created by schoolchildren to be placed on school websites;

(iv)      to instruct the Chief Officer - Integrated Children’s Services to bring a report to Committee outlining the impact of the proposed work streams for ensuring maximum registration and uptake of free school meals following submission of figures to the Scottish Government;

(v)       to instruct the Chief Officer - Integrated Children’s Services to bring a report to Committee prior to the close of each school year;

(a)             detailing the numbers registered for and taking free school meals by school; and

(b)             assessing the progress made by implementing the new work streams and detailing any required adjustments for the following school year; and

(vi)      to ensure that as future work streams are progressed that at all times it be recognised that there may be individuals who have difficulty accessing digital platforms to allow registration and to endeavour in these cases to assist so that barriers are not created in accessing free school meal services as a result of this digital initiative; and

(vii)    to otherwise approve the recommendations contained in the report.

-           COUNCILLOR JOHN WHEELER, Convener