Purpose

To seek approval for Herefordshire Council to accept the
Department for Education (DfE) grant to continue coordinating the
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme, and to confirm the proposed allocation
of funds, including authorisation to
award grants to successful delivery organisations.
 

Decision

That:
a)    
That
Herefordshire Council accepts the Department for Education (DfE)
grant to deliver the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme across Herefordshire for
2026/27.
b)   
The scheme
criteria is set out in paragraphs 2 to
19 of this report to be approved and;
c)    
The Head
of Communities be authorised to take all operational decisions
necessary to implement the programme in
line with the grant conditions.
 

Alternative options considered

1.             
Not to accept or part
accept the grant. This option is not recommended. Failure to accept
the funding would significantly reduce the availability of holiday
activities and nutritious food for eligible children and young
people. This could increase the risk of isolation, reduced
wellbeing and limited access to healthy meals during school
holidays. The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme provides
structured activities and nutritious food, and without this support
children may experience less healthy holiday periods and fewer
opportunities for social engagement.