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School dinner price hike prompts row
Kids school dinners will cost 10p extra a day following an executive decision by Borough Hall bosses.
This is the second time that the cost of the council-subsidised meals after the cost was first increased by 10p in January.
The hike is a result of a five year contract with catering supplier Caterlink, but the price increase will not affect nursery schools.
Conservative councillor Stephen Moon this week condemned the news claiming that the decision should have been discussed by the whole council.
He said: “There have been two executive decisions taken this year that have increased the price of school meals by 20p, the cost to the council is much less than that.
“What results from this is the take up of school meals will decline which is unsatisfactory because the children aren’t getting the nutrients required.”
He added: “It’s an extra £1 a week which is fine for some and not fine for others, but the principle that we will be challenging is that the decision has been taken by executive decision and not by a committee.”
But deputy mayor Charles Royden claimed the councillor could have called in the decision when it was first made.
He said: “Obviously he doesn’t understand the mayoral system. The decisions are made and councillors have a ten day period to call it in and have it debated. School meals are subsidised, they provide good value. We have a five year contract and have kept price increases to minimum.”
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Sunday 26 May 2013
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