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School dinners in Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest fight for school dinners

23rd May 2007, 3:42pm

Schools in East London are defending their meals as the local council is scrapping Waltham Forest Catering to cut increasing costs.

Headteachers will decide in July who will provide the meals in their schools, which will then take effect in March 2008.

A campaign and a number of protests have been organised by dinner ladies, teachers and parents.

Demonstrations are planned to lobby council meetings, as the decision proves controversial around the Waltham Forest area.

The removal of Waltham Forest Catering will also affect the meals on wheels service for the elderly and those attending nurseries.

Waltham Forest Council has said in a statement that it remains committed to the schools in the area and they are working together to find a solution.

Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Cllr Chris Robbins elaborated on the reasons behind the move: "It's really important that our children continue to enjoy a hot and healthy meal at school each day. Rising costs have meant the Council has contributed extra money to subsidise what is paid by schools."

Cllr Robbins added: "Schools are legally responsible for providing this meal but we will continue to work with them to look at the options."

The Council has stated that if a school chooses to make its own arrangements the existing catering staff would be transferred over to the new contractor in accordance with standard legal guidelines.

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Words Clare Riley 0 comments

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