School meal price hike

Julie Gilbert • Published 28 Oct 2009 13:00

"HORRENDOUS" increases in charges for services including school meals and out of school care are being proposed.

A report by officers going before West Dunbartonshire Council tonight (Wednesday October 28) details a list of proposed new charges and increases to existing charges aimed at combating budget shortages.

Such changes, including many in services for the elderly and vulnerable, would not usually happen until April, but the economic climate is forcing the council to act now, according to the report.

The proposals include raising the price of school meals - at both primary and secondary level - by 10 per cent, cranking up the price of out of school care from between £2.25 and £2.75-an-hour to £4-an-hour, and to increase the price of breakfast clubs for school children from 10 pence-a-day to £1-a-day.

The suggested increases were drawn up by council officers and councillors will vote on whether to accept them at the meeting.

Councillor Craig McLaughlin, SNP spokesman for Corporate Services, explained that Professor John Arbuthnott, an expert in resource allocation, has been doing a review a range of services and charges across all councils in Scotland on behalf of the Government.

Councillor McLaughlin said: "Instructions coming down are that where councils have had nominal charges they should be working towards implementing the full costs."

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 28 Oct 09

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