Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Partnerships Officer/Director of Education and Skills

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Partnerships Officer / Director of Education and Skills, that sought approval for acceptance of the Department for Education Holiday Activity and Food Programme grant allocation for the 2022/23 financial year.

The Government’s Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF) is an enrichment programme for disadvantaged children which includes the provision of health food.  The programme is primarily for pupils of statutory school age, who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.  The programme allows for 15% discretionary spend on children who are not within the category of benefits-related free school meals.  Initially the programme was funding for the 2021/22 financial year only and operated through the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays.  The delivery details were set out in a report approved by the Cabinet on 9^th March 2021 and Council on 16^th March 2021.

The Government confirmed that the programme would be extended to the end of March 2025.  Coventry received an allocation of £1,514,770 for the 2022/23 financial year, subject to meeting the conditions of the grant determination letter.  It was anticipated that funding would be at an equivalent level for 2023/24 and 2024/25. 

The aim for each child attending the provision would be for them to:

·  eat healthily;

·  be active;

·  take part in engaging and enriching activities which support the development of resilience, character and wellbeing along with wider educational attainment;

·  be safe and not socially isolated;

·  have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition; and

·  be more engaged with school and other local services.

The aim for parents and carers of children participating in the programme would be to:

·  develop their understanding of nutrition and food budgeting; and

·  be signposted to other information and support (for example: health, employment and education).

Attendance on the programme would be voluntary.  Each eligible school-age child would be entitled to access the provision for one week during the Easter and Christmas holiday periods and four weeks during the summer.  One HAF week was defined as being a total of four, four hourly sessions per week.

RESOLVED that, the Cabinet:

1.  Approve the acceptance of the Department for Education Holiday Activity and Food Programme grant allocation of up to £1,514,770 for the 2022/23 financial year.

2.  Delegate authority for decisions about the planning and delivery of the Holiday Activity and Food Programme in 2022/23 to the Director of Education and Skills, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills.  The City Council will centrally co-ordinate the award monies to relevant organisations to deliver the programme to a high standard.