Decision

Summary of Decision
 
The Cabinet Member for Children
and Public Protection has approved the below
recommendations:

·      
£870,646 is to be allocated to nurseries in
Westminster City Council to develop a universal meal offer based on
£2.55 per meal to nurseries for academic year 2024-25

·      
£694,260 is to be allocated to state funded
secondary schools in Westminster City Council to enable them to
provide a Free Lunch Offer to resident pupils in KS3 (Years 7-9)
for the academic year 2024-25

·      
That the Nursery and KS3 offers are made permanent
on condition that the GLA continues to fund the universal Primary
Free School Meal Offer.

·      
The Cabinet Member for Children and Public
Protection also accepts the GLA’s allocation which is still
to be confirmed. The Council will transfer this to primary schools
based on a £3 per pupil per day for non-FSM pupils so that
schools are able to implement a free lunch offer for all school
pupils.
 
Reasons for Decision
 
When the universal Free School
Meal offer for children attending state funded Primary Schools was
originally implemented, the Cost-of-Living crisis was one of the
greatest challenges facing residents and it continues to be a high
priority. In Westminster, around a quarter of households across the
city (approximately 32,000 households) are particularly vulnerable
to rises in living costs, with some people facing extreme hardship.
The guarantee that children will have access to at least one meal a
day is expected to improve the health and wellbeing for those
currently experiencing food insecurity – bringing benefits
for children’s growth and development and educational
attainment, as well as mental health benefits for their families
due to reducing concerns about food insecurity.