Labour-led Council refuses to deliver food vouchers during May half-term
Cheshire West and Chester Conservatives have called on the Labour led local Council to deliver vital food vouchers for school children this May half-term - using the resources they have been given by the Government - but the answer is no. In April 2022, the Council was awarded £2,290,047 as part of the Government’s £421 million Household Support Fund to support those most in need, due to rising costs of living, especially for food and fuel. Yet despite other local authorities being swift off the mark and able to deliver vouchers for school children in receipt of free school meals, CWaC say it is too late and they won’t offer this opportunity this May.
Commenting, Cllr Razia Daniels, Shadow Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said:
"As soon as we found out that the Council weren't planning to make food vouchers available to those who need them most this May half-term, we asked urgent questions about it. Last Friday we asked that the decision be reversed but the response was a very clear: no. What's alarming is that the Leader of the Council didn't even seem to know that this was the policy of her Council when she was alerted to it. Why? This is such a crucial issue, with families in particular affected by the cost of living challenge that's having an impact on us all just now, that's the result of unprecedented global turmoil in recent times like because of the war in Ukraine.
"Other local authorities across the country, such as Hull Council, Kent County Council and Stoke-on-Trent Council, have responded to their funding allocation quickly and will make these vouchers available in the coming weeks - why not Cheshire West and Chester? Yes, the guidance for how they are used might have changed slightly but this is of such importance that it is unacceptable residents in our community won't be able to get the support that should be available via this funding. It should have been a top priority to be delivered as soon as the detail was known."
Cllr Margaret Parker, Leader of the Conservative Group, added:
"We are deeply frustrated that our Council hasn't been able to help residents directly in the way intended by the government funding this May half term. Whilst we welcome the support mechanisms they do have in place, and the promise of expanded provision later this summer, what about right now? There are nearly 10,000 pupils in receipt of free school meals in the borough but it is now too late to support them in the way we would have wished to see. As a Council we have to do better than this."
Despite the failure of the Council to respond in a timely way to the opportunity of support that this government funding represents, there is some support available. Residents should note that the Council’s Help in Emergencies for Local People (HELP) scheme runs all year, and the hours it is open will be extended during the holidays. The scheme will be available throughout half term week (including the two bank holiday days), 8am – 6pm, and on Saturday 4 June and Sunday 5 June, 10am–4pm. The phone number is: 0300 123 7065 and email: [email protected]
