Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Communities.

1.    To approve that Chorley Council, take on lead responsibility for the delivery of the Holiday Activity Food programme for 2022/23 within Chorley and receive all funding associated with the programme from LCC.

2.    To approve that we commission the delivery of HAF 2022/23 to Chorley Inspire Youth Zone and Chorley School Sports partnership with a Chorley Council Officer within Communities Team whom will work closely alongside partners to oversee the programme, ensuring all expected delivery is on track and all intended monitoring is achieved.

Councillor Bev Murray, Executive Member (Early Intervention) presented the report of the Director of Communities which gives an update on the delivery of the Holiday Activity and Food programme (HAF) 2021, provides details and proposed delivery of the Holiday Activity Programme for 2022/23, and seeks approval to undertake the delivery of HAF 2022/23 with identified delivery model and work with selected partners.

LCC have approached Chorley Council to deliver the HAF 2022/23 programme following the successful completion of delivery of HAF 2021. The delivery for 2022/23 would follow a similar model as last year and utilise our key local delivery partners; Chorley Inspire Youth Zone and Chorley School Sports Partnership to deliver the programme on behalf of Chorley Council. Lessons learned will be implemented to build on the successes of 2021.

LCC are finalising the funding amount which will be allocated to Chorley to deliver the programme. It is anticipated to be similar to last year but will be increased as it will include Easter provision for HAF 2022 which was not part of HAF 2021. Approximately in the region of £320,000.

Chorley has 2591 children aged 4-16 receiving free school meals. The programme will help address child food poverty during the school holidays and help support many families who struggle during this time.

Decision:

1.    To approve that Chorley Council, take on lead responsibility for the delivery of the Holiday Activity Food programme for 2022/23 within Chorley and receive all funding associated with the programme from LCC.

2.    To approve that we commission the delivery of HAF 2022/23 to Chorley Inspire Youth Zone and Chorley School Sports partnership with a Chorley Council Officer within Communities Team whom will work closely alongside partners to oversee the programme, ensuring all expected delivery is on track and all intended monitoring is achieved.

Reasons for recommendations:

1.    Lancashire County Council are keen to follow the same model of delivery as last year and work with Chorley Council to deliver the programme locally. The relationship between Chorley Council and LCC worked well for HAF 2021 and ensures we have a level of control over delivery locally, can monitor provision and identify need across the borough.

2.    Strong links have been created with Chorley Inspire Youth Zone and Chorley School Sports Partnership (CSSP). These partners were key to the successful delivery of the 2021 programme and we would recommend we continue with their commission for 2022. Both partners are a local service provider, have excellent relationships with targeted schools and many families and have a vast knowledge of the subject area.

Other options considered and rejected:

To reject LCC’s preferred model of delivery within Lancashire and not take on lead responsibility for local delivery across Chorley. LCC will therefore carry out procurement of the service. This will result in Chorley Council having no control over ensuring delivery meets the needs of local families, that local partners are engaged to support delivery and that known vulnerable families are targeted with the opportunity. Easter provision will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91