Issue - meetings

To consider and debate the following motion, submitted by Cllr M Jones, which was referred to the Cabinet at the meeting of the County Council on 6 November 2020.

‘This Council expresses disappointment that the Government has voted against providing free meals for children entitled to free school meals in the October 2020 half term and during future school holidays. This Council also expresses disappointment that none of the West Sussex Members of Parliament who took part in the Parliamentary vote supported the proposal to provide meals during future school holidays, with seven of the eight actively voting against.

This Council recognises that the on-going pandemic is causing hardship and poverty for many families within West Sussex and calls on the Cabinet to follow the example of other councils around the country to step in and provide free meals for children entitled to free school meals during future school holidays during the current pandemic.’

and the report of the Cabinet.

63.1     At the County Council meeting on 6 November 2020 the following motion had been moved by Cllr M Jones, seconded by Cllr Walsh, and referred to the Cabinet for consideration. A report by the Cabinet was included with the agenda (pages 61 and 62).

‘This Council expresses disappointment that the Government has voted against providing free meals for children entitled to free school meals in the October 2020 half term and during future school holidays. This Council also expresses disappointment that none of the West Sussex Members of Parliament who took part in the Parliamentary vote supported the proposal to provide meals during future school holidays, with seven of the eight actively voting against.

This Council recognises that the on-going pandemic is causing hardship and poverty for many families within West Sussex and calls on the Cabinet to follow the example of other councils around the country to step in and provide free meals for children entitled to free school meals during future school holidays during the current pandemic.’

63.2     The Chairman informed the Council that following the receipt of further information about the grants, Cllr Jones, with the agreement of the seconder Cllr Walsh, had agreed to withdraw the motion.

Under Standing Order 2.46, to consider the following motion submitted by Cllr Michael Jones, notice of which was given on 26 October 2020. Note: The Chairman has indicated she intends to refer the motion to the Cabinet for consideration. The motion will therefore not be debated at this meeting.

‘This Council expresses disappointment that the Government has voted against providing free meals for children entitled to free school meals in the October 2020 half term and during future school holidays. This Council also expresses disappointment that none of the West Sussex Members of Parliament who took part in the Parliamentary vote supported the proposal to provide meals during future school holidays, with seven of the eight actively voting against.

This Council recognises that the on-going pandemic is causing hardship and poverty for many families within West Sussex and calls on the Cabinet to follow the example of other councils around the country to step in and provide free meals for children entitled to free school meals during future school holidays during the current pandemic.’

Note to members on reason for urgency

Due to the timing of the Government’s vote on providing free meals for children entitled to such meals in the October half term and during future school holidays, theCounty Chairman has agreed that Cllr Jones may submit the motion under Standing Order 2.46 but has decided to refer it rather than accept it for debate on this agenda.

47.1     The following motion under Standing Order 2.46 was moved by Cllr M Jones and seconded by Cllr Walsh.

‘This Council expresses disappointment that the Government has voted against providing free meals for children entitled to free school meals in the October 2020 half term and during future school holidays. This Council also expresses disappointment that none of the West Sussex Members of Parliament who took part in the Parliamentary vote supported the proposal to provide meals during future school holidays, with seven of the eight actively voting against.

This Council recognises that the on-going pandemic is causing hardship and poverty for many families within West Sussex and calls on the Cabinet to follow the example of other councils around the country to step in and provide free meals for children entitled to free school meals during future school holidays during the current pandemic.’

47.2     The motion was referred to the Cabinet for consideration.