Highland Council will review entitlement to free school meals
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Highland Council is going to review entitlement to free school meals to help families.
It comes as it investigates a £206,000 debt from more than 80,000 lunches.
An online payments system is now being introduced for all schools after auditors discovered several different methods of payment were being used.
Councillors discussed the report today.
The council’s policy is that no primary school pupil should be refused a meal due to insufficient funds or no other arrangement being in place for a meal at lunchtime.
It currently provides approximately 18,000 lunches per day at 173 primary schools and 29 secondary schools.
Audit and scrutiny committee chairman Graham MacKenzie said: "While further work is need to reduce still high level of debt owed for unpaid school meals the council’s policy to ensure that no child goes hungry is an essential component of the council’s social role.
“Our revenues and business support section play a pivotal role in ensuring all entitlement including free school meals are promoted and claimed. As part of the debt recovery process they are reviewing entitlement to free school meals to provide support and maximise family incomes.”
Related article: Highland Council launches probe after audit uncovers £206,000 debt from 80,000 unpaid school meals
