Purpose

This report to the Executive Mayor provides an update and requests a decision about the Mayor of London’s project to provide a free school meal for every primary school pupil for the academic year 2024-25. The programme is known by the title Universal Free School Meals (UFSM) Programme.

A decision is required to accept the grant award from the Greater London Authority (GLA) as well as the planned funding methodology for schools during the 2024-2025 Academic year.

Decision

RESOLVED;

1. 2.1to agree that the Universal Free School Meal allowance for pupils in Year’s 3-6 be funded at the rates as set out by the Greater London Authority, at a cost of £3.00 per pupil covering 190 days with a take up of 90%.
2. 2.2to agree that whilst this marks a slight change in funding from the previous year, budget constraints set out the parameters for this alteration, and no other methodology would be suitable.

to note:

1. 2.3that Croydon Council have petitioned the Greater London Authority that future funding allocations should be sought covering spring census data for years 2-5, rather than years 3-6 as is currently the case, to more closely reflect the number of children per year where this funding is targeted.

Reasons for the decision

As per Part A report.

Alternative options considered

As per Part A report.