County councillor urges authority to provide free school meals during half term

A Devon county councillors has called on the leader of the authority to provide school meals for children in need of them during the half term holiday and at Christmas.

Cllr Martin Shaw, who represents Seaton and Colyton, has also asked residents of his ward to support a crowdfunding appeal to ensure local children do not go hungry.

Yesterday, Cabinet Minister Brandon Lewis said the government had given councils £63million to support families, but Devon County Council leader, Cllr John Hart, informed Cllr Shaw that Devon had been given the smallest amount of new COVID-19 funding of any county council, and some Devon districts, including East Devon, had been given only the minimum amount.

The leader of the county council told Cllr Shaw: 'We were expecting a lot more money. Our finances are already under pressure for the rest of this year with even more pressure for next year. Therefore with demands on funds I do not think it would be right to consider funding this scheme."

In response, Cllr Shaw said: "I've replied urging him to reconsider. The cost of providing this support at half term and Christmas would not be huge in the big scheme of things, but there are children in every area of Devon who really need this support.

"Since the government and the county council are not providing free school meals for Devon children who need them this half-term, Seaton community group RE:STORE Axe Valley has set up a scheme to provide them, with the aim of operating at Christmas too.

"A crowdfunding page has been set up, which is on course to raise £1,000 and I am urging every resident who can afford it to donate.

"I have given the scheme £1,500 from my county councillor's Locality Budget, as I can think of few things more important than ensuring that all children are properly fed during the current crisis."

You can support the fundraising appeal by clicking here.