Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Partnerships and Performance

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Partnerships and Performance which indicated that the Government’s Holiday Activity and Food programme (HAF) is an enrichment programme for disadvantaged children which includes the provision of healthy food.  The programme is primarily for pupils of statutory school age, who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.  Initially the programme was funded for the 2021/22 financial year only and operated through the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays. The delivery details were set out in the Cabinet report of 9 March 2021, the Council report of 16 March 2021 and the Cabinet reports of 15 March 2022 and 14 March 2023.

The Government have made a commitment for this next phase of the programme through to the end of March 2025. Coventry has received an allocation of £1,587,840 for the financial year 2024/25 (compared to an allocation of £1,553,530 for the financial year 2023/24), subject to meeting the conditions of the grant determination letter.

The report sought approval to acceptance of the grant and detailed  the intended approach for delivering HAF in 2024/25. A summary of  2023/24 HAF activity was appended to the report.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

1)  Approves the acceptance of the Department for Education Holiday Activities and Food grant allocation, of up to £1,587,840 for the 2024/25 financial year.

2)  Delegates authority for decisions about the planning and delivery of the Holiday Activities and Food grant allocation to the Director of Partnerships and Performance, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skill, including but not limited to:

a)  Co-ordinating and awarding monies to relevant organisations in order to ensure the delivery of the programme to a high standard; and

b)  Acceptance of any future opportunities for additional in-year grant funding up to a total amount in the sum of £2.5 million pounds, in 2024/25.