SCHOOL MEALS TO BE STOPPED

[muasdalemouse]

The costs are prices per meal.

It also struck me today that the council could be manipulating the public, so that they can go to Parliament with a begging bowl to get extra money. Don't know if that's the case but other than doing it to extra money from the parents, there appears to be no other motivation for it.

[Mary G]

Not that it may be a solution here:

http://www.pubisthehub.org.uk/pithlive/ ... srothwell/

But it does demonstrate a positive can-do attitude: We have a problem, so what are the creative solutions? Rather than as we see in Argyll & Bute: We need to save £60,000 - where can we take it from that will cause least hassle? Or whatever the rationale was for picking school meals as the place to find £60,000.

So what is the catalyst - the stated motivation - here to stop the meals in these six schools?

[John S]

Thanks for this Mary, I will use this link. There has been some digging around by the Coalition following the budget proposal and the data used to justify it, we are not happy that all considerations have been taken into account and directors have been asked to identify alternative options for making the savings. Still not full reversal of the budget decision but I suspect that the direction of travel is about to change

[Malky]

I was at the public meeting in Tayinloan hall tonight. It was attended by nearly 100 people and by councillors Ann Horn, John McAlpine, Robin Currie and Rory Colville. Also present was Jamie McGrigor MSP.

I don't have time to write down all that was said, but some points stick in my mind.

The cutting of meals at these schools is a cost cutting exercise. The council has to make cuts to balance the books and all departments, including education has to find its share. The council officers concerned with education (I don't remember their names), decided that school meals in these schools should be removed to save about £40,000.

None of the councillors present were aware that there had been no consultation with any of the schools, parents or kitchen staff concerned. In fact, the first the kitchen staff found out about it was by reading it in the Press.

Regarding the fact that the councillors had voted in favour of these cuts. It became clear that the information given to the councillors by these A & B Council officers concerning the uptake of school meals at all the threatened schools was flawed. The councillors were told that uptake was low when in fact this is not the case. Basically, the council officers provided false information (lied) or at least manipulated the figures to suit their aims.

BTW, these officers were invited to attend the meeting tonight but declined. TBH, the fact that they didn't spoke volumes.

Councillor Colville is certain that these cuts were part of a bigger agenda and probably the first step towards the closure of these schools.

And finally, because of the outcry this has provoked, there is a good chance that these particular cuts may be reversed.

Personally, I felt that the fact that incorrect information was provided by highly paid council officials was very disturbing. It was almost like they had made up the figures to suit their purpose. I wonder where else they have provided wrong information?

Malky

[EMDEE]

If Argyll and Bute Council are intent on closing rural schools then this is at odds with the policy of the Scottish Government as reported in today's Press and Journal:

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1103854

It's long past time some legislation was passed to prevent councils from adopting short sighted and ill-advised policies that will save money in the short term but will inevitably damage the social and economic environments of rural communities.

[Mary G]

Cheers Malky - excellent update.

And what a turnout – 100 - just what was needed - well done to all involved.

My thoughts:

1. The figures always looked ridiculous, and would not withstand even cursory scrutiny, never mind a proper audit.

2. I find it hard to accept that the councillors thought that there had already been consultation with parents and staff before this proposal went before them.

None of the councillors present were aware that there had been no consultation with any of the schools, parents or kitchen staff concerned.

Are they seriously saying that a suggestion to take 'food from the mouths of children', jeopardising our local schools - would pass unnoticed? I hardly think so. Also, in any authorities I have experience of (quite a few),any council proposal like this must be issued to the local representatives too, as part of the consultation process. And councillors are part of the Education Committee where a consultation plan would have to be approved, and reported upon. Where school boards /parent councils exist, councillors are invited to attend meetings, and usually receive the papers; such a serious change to services would undoubtedly have been on the agenda and minuted. So no - I do not really believe that the councillors honestly thought that a proper consultation had taken place already. And if one or two did (eg Robin Currie, who is based on Islay, so a bit remote from the action) then this is basically a confession that they are hopelessly out of touch with local affairs and council services, and with the communities that they represent.

3. The councillors - not the officials - are accountable for what happens in the authority. The elected members cannot hide – at times of their choosing - behind a cloak of 'it was the officials that did it!'. If they have granted their officials so much power as to produce ill-considered proposals, then they are the very people to fix that weakness in the system of performance and accountability.
The leading Independent and SNP coalition group is in charge. They run the council and direct the work of the officials. And they all voted - apparently unanimously – on this proposal within the budget. So are they all saying cannot read the papers properly, and scrutinise the data? Or are the leading group confessing to the fact that they have granted too much power to officials? It has to be one or the other.

Kintyre – and the rest of Argyll - deserves a lot better.

[History]

None of the councillors present were aware that there had been no consultation with any of the schools, parents or kitchen staff concerned. Malky

I find that really hard to believe to be honest. When the proposed cuts were announced shouldn't that have been high on their to do list, ie find out why this decision was made and they were not involved as councillors? Why wait until a public meeting to say they were unaware of this decision being made.

[Malky]

Yes, it was very heartening to see such a large turnout. Many people there, like myself, don't have kids at the primary schools any more but recognise the importance of these schools as a focal point for our rural communities. Without them we wouldn't have much of a community.

So are they all saying cannot read the papers properly, and scrutinise the data?

One of the councillors mentioned that the budget proposals had been presented in a different layout from previous years and this had made it more difficult to digest the contents. Actually I think it was Rory that said that - and he's on the opposition But they all said that this wasn't an excuse

On the point of consultation, Councillor McAlpine had asked the council officer whose department deals with the pensioners meals (the lunch clubs etc) if he had agreed to the school kitchens closing and he stated that he didn't know anything about it. That means there had also been no consultation between departments within the council. Hmmm. right hand - meet left hand

The councillors - not the officials - are accountable for what happens in the authority. The elected members cannot hide – at times of their choosing - behind a cloak of 'it was the officials that did it!'.

Well TBH, I personally feel that these officials are paid a lot of money to do their job. They should know the implications of any cuts they propose - whether legal or other. If they have no accountability for their actions then why pay them so much? Without seeming to be defending the elected councillors I feel they already have a difficult job - and in this case it was made harder by council officials who provided incorrect information. Council officials also provided incorrect information in the case of Fyneview Respite Home recently. Maybe the best way to cut budgets would be to sack some officials?

Finally, while in Lochgilphead today, my better half bumped into Councillor Currie and he said that at the Council meeting today, the school meals was on the agenda so he asked what progress had been made and was told "business as usual". So it appears the kitchens will remain open.

Malky

[muasdalemouse]

I recieved a phonecall at teatime tonight to advise that the school meals service had been re-instated.

Job Done, but perhaps it's time a few heads rolled in A&BC!

[Mary G]

Yes, it was very heartening to see such a large turnout. Many people there, like myself, don't have kids at the primary schools any more but recognise the importance of these schools as a focal point for our rural communities.

Nothing like a 'crisis' to galvanise a community ... not that I would choose to manufacture one, but it is so good to see this kind of response. Your final 'business as usual' line is also encouraging. I hope that the Council does communicate this u-turn properly, so that the cooks, teachers, parents, and of course the children - can be reassured of the decision. In the absence of clear communication all sorts of dangerous rumour and supposition can thrive. A polite "SORRY" will do nicely

I personally feel that these officials are paid a lot of money to do their job. They should know the implications of any cuts they propose - whether legal or other.

Completely agree Malky. If I were the leader of the Council and had been offered this sort of half-baked, inequitable disaster of a plan - (1) it would never have seen the light of day, and (2) my officials would have been left with no doubts in their minds about what would be adequate in future - and that was not it! And I don't think that I am that different to other forum members - I think that you Malky would be similarly robust in this situation!

I still maintain that the elected representatives - in particular the Independent-SNP coalition ones who are (allegedly) in power must direct their officials. They should tell them what their policies are, what is sought, what will be acceptable, and what not. They (at least the SNP ones) had manifestoes when they put themselves up for election. None said "stop school meals in small schools". Our councillors need to behave as if they are in charge, and not act like gullible hicks who can be easily conned by the sophisticated trickery of the Kilmory mandarins.

[Hels]

Great news that the meals have been saved!

I do think though, that it has made those schools involved feel vulnerable and that closures will sadly be inevitable if numbers remain so low.

[Kintyre Forum News]

SCHOOL MEALS SERVICE RETAINED

Argyll and Bute Council has decided not to implement its decision to withdraw school meals from six primary schools. The school kitchens were earmarked for closure as part of a budget balancing exercise.

Council Leader Dick Walsh said, “Although the Council voted to close these six school kitchens as part of the budget process, discussions have continued to try to identify alternatives ways to balance the books and retain the Council Tax at the same rate as we agreed with the Scottish Government.

“I am pleased to say that a solution has now been found which will allow the council to retain the school meals service in all of these six schools, and we hope to achieve these savings through the course of the year. I know that many parents and our staff who work in the kitchens will be relieved at the outcome, and regret the circumstances which led to this decision and to the worry and upset that this has caused."

[EMDEE]

Maybe the best way to cut budgets would be to sack some officials?
Malky

Now there's a good idea.

Maybe a consultant could be engaged at a great cost to carry out a feasibility study?

[Beachcomber]

I completely applaud A&Bs decision to reinstate school meals st these rural schools but I do wonder where they will now look to make their savings.

I would also hope they have directed someone to look into why meals on Lismore are costing £150+ per child per meal! Something someone should have been doing a long time ago, I think.

Per child, I could probably prepare them in my own kitchen and then drive them down to Lismore for less.