'Delight' over free school meals plans for Northumberland

Cllr Glen Sanderson had previously stated that different options may well be in place come the Christmas holidays, following a scheme over half-term that enabled individual councillors to provide grants to community groups or town and parish councils.

He confirmed this to all members at the Wednesday, November 4, full council meeting, where he also committed to cross-party work on the wider issue of food poverty, something which had been called for by Labour.

“We had a good take-up of the scheme that we introduced last week and I’m grateful to the members who have helped their community and local councils to provide extra help during the school holidays,” he said.

“I have asked officers to prepare some contingency plans should the Government not agree to change their position on free school meals come the Christmas holidays through to the Easter holidays and they will be shared by cabinet colleagues in the next week or 10 days at the most.

“I will then share those with the leaders of the political groups, because I think this is something that it’s quite important we are all signed up to and we have some common purpose on this.”

RELATED: Northumberland County Council rethinking free school meals plans for Christmas holidays

He added: “On the wider issue of food poverty generally in the county, I am going to ask Cllr Wendy Pattison, who leads for us on equality and diversity, to lead some cross-party work so we can have some sensible dialogue and hopefully some clear outcomes to help the need that exists in parts of our communities in Northumberland.”

Following the meeting, the Labour group leader, Cllr Susan Dungworth, said: “We organised a petition and wrote to Cllr Sanderson. We are delighted that he listened and responded positively in yesterday’s meeting.

“The council leader has acknowledged we need a plan for the school holidays from Christmas though to and including the Easter holidays in 2021. The leader also agreed to our calls for a cross-party working group to look at food poverty, including holiday hunger and develop a long-term sustainable plan to tackle disadvantage across the county.

“I am so grateful to the people who added weight to this request with their signatures on the petition.

“I am also humbled by the actions of local people and businesses who were prepared to step in where the Government would not.

“This is not a victory for the Labour group. It is a sign that the new council leader recognises that opposition councillors listen to their constituents and their voices need to be heard.

“The victory is the process of politicians working together to do the right thing for the people they serve. The winners are the children and families who more than ever need this help and support.”

Cllr Dungworth added: “I understand there have been threats of violence against the Blyth Valley MP (Ian Levy), who, along with the other two Conservative MPs in the county, voted with the Government to refuse to provide free school meals over the recent half-term holiday.

“I want to make it plain that threats of violence are unacceptable and I am sorry for any worry this has caused to the MP and his family. I know myself how it feels to be threatened.”

She added: “While not condoning any acts or threats of violence, I do understand where the anger and frustration comes from. This year has taken many individuals and families to breaking point and people need to know their MP and the Government has their back when they most need it.”

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