Children miss out on half-price school meals

East Ayrshire Council is to be rocked by the departure of its top two officials.

Chief Executive Fiona Lees and her deputy Alex McPhee have announced their exit in a joint move.

The pair, who boast 85 years of public service between them, will leave office at the turn of the year.

Ms Lees, who has held the council’s top job since 2004, said it had been a “privilege” to serve and added: “I joined the local government family 42 years ago and it is a family that have been honoured to be a part of.

“I believe deeply in the power of communities and the positive impact that good local government can have for those we serve.”

The highly respected boss was one of the first people appointed to the council in 1995, joining as Depute Chief Executive from Strathclyde Regional Council.

And she went on to become the longest serving local government chief executive in Scotland.

In 2014, she pledged to lead a repair mission following the opencast coal crisis that cost £161 million.

At the time she told the Post: “When you take on a job like this, you know the buck stops with you.

“But I have never hidden from responsibility or run from a problem in my life – and I didn’t intend to start now.”

Her departure, and that of Mr McPhee, will leave a chasm at the top of the East Ayrshire authority.

Council leader, Douglas Reid, said: “Fiona Lees is a public servant, in the truest sense, she has had a long and distinguished career and I am proud that East Ayrshire Council has been a big part of that journey.”

Mr McPhee, who will exit a month before his boss in December, added: “With 43 years of service behind me and the council in a solid financial position I believe that this juncture represents an opportune time for me to step aside and to let those with a longer term work horizon get to grips with shaping what the future council should look like.”

Children in South Ayrshire schools are not getting halfprice school meals unlike pupils living elsewhere.

South Ayrshire Council has decided not to offer the cheaper food as part of the national Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Sixteen out of 32 councils in Scotland, including East and North Ayrshire are providing the 50 percent discount.

It runs Monday to Wednesday throughout August.

It has been a big hit in restaurants with many Ayrshire venues packed during the start of the week.

Councillor Martin Dowey has hit out at the local authority’s decision not to sign up to the scheme for schools.

The local Conservative leader said he was waiting on an answer on why pupils in South Ayrshire are missing out.

The Alloway and Doonfoot politician said: “I think we should be participating.

“It is a great scheme. I have asked for clarification on why we are not doing it.

“I am in favour of it but I accept there may be logistic reasons behind it.”

A council spokesman said: “We have no plans to participate in the scheme at present.

“The scheme closes on August 31 and our full school meal service won’t start again until September.”

It is understood some schools are operating a limited menu currently.

East Ayrshire Council is rolling out the discount at schools every day – not just from Monday to Wednesday.

Andrew Kennedy, the council’s head of facilities and property management said: “By applying the scheme to schools meals and extending it to the full school week at the start of the term, we are ensuring our young people can access fresh, healthy and affordable food in a Covid-safe environment.”

Councillor Fiona Campbell, responsible for skills and learning, said: “Our catering team must be commended for their creativity in applying this scheme.

“Many families have struggled during lockdown and this gives them a helping hand as they start to get back to some form of normality, as our young people return to school.”

Pupils who qualify are still entitled to free meals.