Just to confirm that there will be a meeting at Hay School on Wednesday 13th February, at 6.30pm, to discuss the cuts proposed by Powys County Council.
Latest news on the Breakfast Club is that the Welsh Government has got involved. They have written to Powys County Council making clear their deep concerns about the plans, according to Kirsty Williams, AM. Lots of people got in touch with her about the matter.
The Welsh Government have asked for the answers to some questions they have, and have pointed out that Powys County Council may be in breach of its duty under section 88 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act, by setting criteria for eligibility for free school breakfasts.
The Welsh Government also wants to know what consultation has taken place with the schools and other interested parties (such as parents) and what impact assessments have been made. The County Council has 10 working days in which to respond.
Following on from this comes a press release from Myfanwy Alexander, the Powys Cabinet Member for Learning and Welsh Language:
“School breakfast clubs are valued by parents and carers wherever available. Whilst provision of the breakfast is free, parents and carers are expected to contribute to related childcare costs routinely across Wales.
“The fairer funding formula was reviewed earlier this year and while there is no longer a specific line for breakfast clubs funding is available within the delegated funding. In fact, the level of support to Powys schools is increasing by £1m for the 2019/2020 financial year.
“It is a decision for the head and governing body to decide how funding is used provided it is spent in-line with Welsh Government legislation.”
So this seems to be putting the responsibility for the breakfast clubs at the door of the head teachers, despite an earlier email saying that the heads would have to produce a business plan to pay for the breakfast clubs if they wanted them to continue.
The full details of the whole saga are available on Gareth Ratcliffe's Facebook page.
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