Decision details

11.1

The government’s recent announcement that the Department for Education Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme had been extended for 3 years up to 2024. The programme is for children eligible for benefits related free school meals and will deliver healthy food and enriching activities during the school holidays at Easter (1 week), Summer (4 weeks), and Christmas (1 week).

Sheffield City Council has been awarded £2,708,510.00 grant funding to coordinate free holiday provision, including healthy food and enriching activities. It will be optional for eligible children to attend this provision. We expect to receive a similar grant for the years 2023 and 2024.

The report sought approval for the Holiday Activities and Food partnership approach and model and the allocation of grant funding to delivery partners including schools, VCF partners, and organisations that will provide a vast range of cultural and sporting activities across Sheffield and the procurement of a booking system/MI system.

11.2

The Chair drew Members attention to the resolution and noted that the wording ‘Individual Executive Member’ should be amended to read ‘Co-operative Executive’.

11.3

RESOLVED: That Co-operative Executive:-

1.    Approves that Sheffield City Council will act as the Accountable Body and lead agent for the Department for Education (DfE) funded Holiday Activities and Food programme in Sheffield for 2022-2024;

2.    Approves the Council accepting £2,708,510.00 from the DfE for the Holiday Activities and Food programme;

3.    Approves the Holiday Activities and Food approach and model; and

4.    Approve that the Holiday Activities and Food grant for the future years 2023 and 2024 is added to the Annually Recurrent Grants process whereby approval is gained via a collective Co-operative Executive report.

11.4

Reasons for Decision

11.4.1

The Local Authority has been allocated this money by a national extension of Dfe funded HAF programme.  Sheffield has approximately 26,000 children eligible for free school meals, we would not be able to provide an offer of holiday activities without this funding.

11.4.2

Acceptance of the grant would allow the continuation of the HAF programme in Sheffield which supports a range of council priorities.  The Council does not deliver holiday activities plus food currently for children and young people and therefore we need external delivery partners.  A partnership approach will allow a flexible and personalised approach and will build community infrastructure and capacity.

11.5

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.5.1

Deliver in house by the Council

The Council does not deliver holiday or food activities currently for children and young people and therefore would be unable to reach and deliver holiday activities to eligible children and young people. 

11.5.2

Do not accept the Dfe HAF grant

As described, we have approx. 26,000 families eligible for free school meals, without this funding we would be unable to provide good quality activities and food at Easter, Summer, and Christmas holidays

11.6

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

11.7

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

11.8

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Executive Director, People Services

11.9

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Children, Young People, and Family Support Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee