Glasgow City Council set to grant holiday meals this summer

More than 23,000 children and young people are expected to benefit from holiday meals citywide this summer as Glasgow City Council prepares to grant funds to 52 community organisations.

The Children’s Holiday Food and Activity project provides a hot meal and snack to Glasgow’s nursery, primary and secondary school pupils during holiday periods and is intended to complement existing activities organised by third sector organisations with the majority of the funds going towards the provision of food.

Last summer, the projected number of children and young people benefiting from the scheme sat at 23,224 compared to the actual number of 25,837. This year the number of people expected to benefit from the programme sits at 23,883.

In April, the local authority invited 55 organisations to apply for a share of the £1.6 million summer programme. Of those 55 – 52 groups applied including “The Pyramid at Anderson” which has provided holiday programmes in October 2022 and spring 2023.

Ruchazie Parish Church, Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre and Children 1st declined to submit an application on account of operational circumstances. Glasgow’s budget meeting this year saw £500,000 set aside for the scheme and around £1.1 million identified from previously approved funds to carry forward into summer 2023.

A report previously submitted to the city administration committee also highlighted that Glasgow’s holiday programme for 2023/24 would be reviewed in line with the anticipated new guidance from the Scottish Government.

The city council has been continuing to urge the government to publish guidance on investment in school age childcare and holiday provision and once available, it will be reviewed. A further report on the council’s position with holiday provision beyond summer 2023 will be brought to committee.

A further report will be brought before elected members this Thursday. They are expected to “suspend the call in procedure” which will allow organisers to finalise and publicise their summer programmes before schools close on Friday, June 23.

It will also allow the council to allocate payments to the correct organisations. Some examples of funding recommendations being presented to councillors on Thursday include:

AR26 Charity – £5,000

FARE – £92,000

PEEK – Possibilities for Each and Every Kid – £117,000

Well-Fed (Scotland) – £106,500

Brunswick Community Development Trust – £36,794