Extending breakfast clubs to be ‘looked into’
The SNP’s education convener is willing to “look into” extending breakfast clubs across all Renfrewshire schools – but won’t make a firm commitment on the policy.
Emma Rodden said she had “absolutely no problem” considering an expansion of the programme which would cost the local authority around £1.7 million each year.
But she added the funding “has to come from somewhere”.
A number of clubs run in local schools, financially supported and operated through different means, but the Labour group wants to see them delivered in all primary and high schools – an idea that formed part of its unsuccessful budget proposals.
The party’s education spokesperson Gillian Graham brought the issue up as councillors discussed the children’s services partnership plan on Thursday, referencing an excerpt from the document which said: “We will support low-income families to ensure they have access to healthy food, whether through meals at school or through activities in community settings”.
She said at the education and children’s services policy board: “Convener, you have been involved in setting this year’s budget and I assume fighting the corner for education and children – why does the budget do nothing to reflect this aim?”
Councillor Rodden said: “I am assuming that you’re referring to the fact that we didn’t have a provision in the budget for breakfast clubs and the Labour group did.
“We are not necessarily looking at the standard breakfast club set-up but it is something that we’re looking at to provide our young people in schools with food, if it’s required, in the mornings and that is something that we will continue to look at.
“If it’s appropriate we’ll bring it to a future board, if we find a solution that will meet those intentions.” The possibility of widening the programme was first raised last June after the success of existing clubs was highlighted at a leadership board.
A survey found 95 per cent of children thought the clubs helped them get ready to learn, while 92 per cent said they boosted their concentration levels throughout the day.
Councillor Graham said: “We were definitely looking for breakfast clubs.
“Now, there are cheaper ways to run breakfast clubs but we know children don’t learn when they’re hungry and I am going to keep banging on about this. I’m disappointed it wasn’t in the budget.”
The administration’s budget, which passed with the support of independent Andy Doig and Liberal Democrat Anne Hannigan, included other pledges that SNP councillor Jim Paterson, a former education convener, felt were relevant.
These included £300,000 for the £50 winter clothing payment for eligible school children; £210,000 to increase foster and kinship carer allowance by 10 per cent; and £100,000 for a programme of summer activities for young people from lowincome families.
Councillor Paterson said: “I do take Councillor Graham’s point but I find it disingenuous to suggest that there was nothing to support children from lowincome families within the SNP administration’s budget when it clearly was the case that there was.”
The cost of clubs directly provided by the council at the moment is £288,000, a report to last month’s leadership board disclosed.
Councillor Graham asked the convener: “Would you be willing to look at investigating breakfast clubs and rolling them out across all schools?”
Councillor Rodden responded: “I have absolutely no problem in looking into the matter.
“What I won’t commit to is, the funding has to come from somewhere, so I have no problem looking into it.”
We know children don’t learn when they’re hungry and I’m going to keep banging on about this