On Tuesday, 20th October, 2020, at a meeting of Hertfordshire County Council, the Conservatives refused to back a motion from the Lib Dems calling on the government to support the call from Marcus Rashford to provide free school meals during school holidays until next Easter to pupils who normally receive them. Later in the week the government similarly voted this down for England.
Some education authorities, like Essex, Staffordshire and Kensington and Chelsea are stepping in to provide the much needed meals despite Parliament’s vote.
The Lib Dem county education spokesperson Mark Watkin has sent an open letter (email) to the Tory education boss demanding that Herts County Council does the same. We have yet to hear back, but we cannot wait.
Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Leader of the Opposition on Herts County Council, along with his Lib Dem colleagues, has formally requisitioned a special County Council meeting to agree that the County Council steps up, as it did in the summer, and puts in place a system to provide much needed food for children in need.
He said, “The County Council has millions in reserves and, whilst it may have missed the boat for half term, there are other school holidays and proper plans must be put in place. Many of our councillors are already working with local businesses and charities to help where they can but the County Council is the education authority and has the resources and information necessary to reach every child in need.”