To receive the Executive response to committee recommendations made in relation to school examination performance.

The Chairman reminded members that a report had been considered on school examination performance at the committee meeting on 10 March 2015 (minute 63 refers) and a number of recommendations made.  The Executive response to those recommendations was detailed within Appendix 1 to this item.

The discussion centred on the following recommendation that had not been accepted:

Recommendation 1: That officers reprise the actions within the Herefordshire Food Strategy in the context of food provision and education in schools and that the committee be updated with the current position in terms of the delivery of those actions.

A committee member questioned whether the Food Strategy was still a live document and, whilst acknowledging the autonomy of schools, whether further thought should be given to the authority’s approach.

The Head of Additional Needs advised that the authority took the issue seriously, particularly in terms of nutrition, but responsibility for schools meals was delegated to individual schools.

Mr. Sell said that the discussion at the 10 March 2015 meeting had focussed on promoting the use of locally sourced produce but noted that this could not be imposed on schools.  Nevertheless, many schools did use local suppliers, adding that some schools involved pupils in the preparation of food as an educational activity.

The Chairman requested that a briefing note be prepared on the Food Strategy, with input from children’s wellbeing and public health directorates.

A committee member noted the strong causal link between nutrition, the ability of pupils to pay attention in class and examination performance.  As the Food Strategy had linkages to schools, it was suggested that an indication was needed about the direction of travel at a strategic level.

Noting the wording in the response that ‘there are recent examples of schools changing suppliers to achieve best value’, a committee member said that schools should be encouraged to achieve best value in the broadest sense rather than just being price focussed.  The Assistant Director Governance confirmed that price was only one aspect of best value. 

Mr. Burbidge said that he was aware of one school that had recently replaced an underperforming supplier and, in appointing a new caterer, had focused on quality and service.  He added that locally sourced produce should be promoted wherever possible but there was a need to give freedom to caterers to use their best judgement.

Mr. Knight commented that the attractiveness of the food offer to pupils needed to be factored into the way in which schools approached the issue.

The Chairman welcomed the update provided on looked after children activities.

RESOLVED:  That

(a)        the Executive response be noted; and

(b)        a briefing note be prepared on the Herefordshire Food Strategy and its linkages to schools.