Councillors in Torbay boost school meal funds

CHILDREN who have free school meals in Torbay will receive double the Government’s recommended allowance during February half-term.

Torbay Council will be using some of its pandemic funding to provide a £30 payment for each child, compared to the £15 in the area covered by Devon County Council. The money will be administered through schools and nurseries.

Council leader Steve Darling said it was an example of how the council was supporting families during the coronavirus crisis.

The council, run by a partnership of Independents and Liberal Democrats, is also working on a series of projects with partners to support the community during the recovery phase when lockdown ends. Plans includes a scheme to help schools cope with children who may have behaviour problems, and wider support on mental health issues.

The council is proposing a £300,000 hardship fund to help people who have missed out on financial support, and it is setting aside a reserve fund of £1.6 million in the next financial year to cover ongoing costs of the pandemic.

The council is predicted to underspend by £7.2 million in the current financial year, due to successfully tackling financial pressures in children’s

Leader Steve Darling said it was an example of how the council was supporting families

services. The money is being set aside to strengthen reserves, invest in priority services for the community, and fund an expected £5.2 million shortfall in the collection of council tax and rates.

Next year’s budget, including a 1.99% increase in core council tax plus a 3% rise to go on adult social care, was due to be discussed at a meeting last night.

The Conservative group has called for a freeze on the core tax but the council’s leadership has dismissed the idea, saying the Tories have not explained where £1.5 million cuts would come from to make the saving.