European Tribune - Community, Politics & Progress.

A short, uplifting story

by Migeru
Fri Jun 1st, 2007 at 04:07:22 AM EST

Sixteen days ago I wrote the following e-mail to the local Lib Dem councillors from my ward and to one councillor (whom I had met before at her surgery regarding some other school issue) from the neighbouring ward where my child's school is:

As you may know I recently joined the Board of Governors at [my child's school] as a Parent Governor. At the first meeting I attended, last week, we were told that there was a high risk that the School Meals Service would be discontinued within the financial year due to lack of funding from the Borough, and that schools across the Borough were already hiring outside consultants to explore alternatives. The Governors felt very strongly about this: school meals should not be discontinued, and frangmenting the school meal service might lead to a loss of economies of scale that may be available with a borough-wide service. Also, there are a number of children from poor families who get free school meals and who would possibly be left without a meal if the school meals service were interrupted.
As a parent and Governor, I would like to know what the financial situation of the school meals service is, whether the service has been mismanaged, and whether it is true that the Borough is considering discontinuing funding for school meals, incuding free meals for children of poor families.

Promoted by Colman - it's not all bad news

15 days and 13 e-mails (including my own e-mails, replies to them, forwarded messages to and from various officials, etc) later...

[The] Council has confirmed it will continue its current subsidy arrangements with schools to fund the cost of the Council's school meals service.
The Leader [and Deputy Leader] of the Council [...] made the announcements to a rally outside [the] Town Hall last night (Thursday May 25).
The Council has also pledged to work to encourage more parents to take up school meals for their children, and to discuss the issue with 10 schools not currently using the Council's service.
[The] Cabinet Member for Children and Young People [...] said: "It's really important that our children continue to enjoy a hot and healthy meal at school each day. It's vital for their healthy development and ability to learn - and for some, it may be their only opportunity for a nutritionally balanced meal in the day.
"What we are doing is working with our schools to ensure our children are offered a nutritionally balanced hot meal at lunchtimes, that more children take up school meals - and that our dinner ladies continue to keep serving them."

Hooray!

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A short, uplifting story | 34 comments (34 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: A short, uplifting story (4.00 / 16)

So I'm rather proud.

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Wed May 30th, 2007 at 05:00:08 PM EST

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

All it needs is the food providers to set up a Co-op and they can wipe the floor with any "private" provider..

Modern conservatives engage in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy: the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.Galbraith

by ChrisCook (cojockathotmaildotcom) on Wed May 30th, 2007 at 05:09:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

Allegedly the budget shortfall was caused by three separate issues (two of them related):

the coming into force of equal-pay-for-equal-work regulations increased the amount that needed to be paid to the cooking and catering staff
many families were not taking advantage of the school meals service, resulting in lost revenue (after several increases in the last year, the fee currently stands at £1.60 per child per day, unless you are on benefits)
10 schools in the Borough had opted out of the service, also resulting in lost revenue.

As a result, the projected deficit for the financial year was in the region of £350k. This is about £1.50 per person in the Borough.

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Wed May 30th, 2007 at 05:19:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (4.00 / 3)

the coming into force of equal-pay-for-equal-work regulations increased the amount that needed to be paid to the cooking and catering staff

They received grant increases to take this law into account when it came int ofoce in the mid-90s. However, they chose to spend it on other things, like pay rises for them and their mates, instead of actually providing legally-mandated equal pay. So they have no right to threaten services on such grounds.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Wed May 30th, 2007 at 05:37:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

They received grant increases to take this law into account when it came int ofoce in the mid-90s.

Do you have a reference to actual legal text for that? Or, would you know where I should look for it?

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Wed May 30th, 2007 at 05:39:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

I am confused... We're talking about The Equal Pay Act 1970, right?

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Wed May 30th, 2007 at 05:52:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (4.00 / 2)

No, as you'd expect with such laws, there were numerous ways that could be used to get around it, especially when unions connived with employers to deny women their rights. So not only wer women denied equality before the mid-90s, but the unions continued to aid employers after that time as well.

It was an absolute scandal, yet was buried until no win no fee lawyers started contesting the cosy arrangements.

This is the nearest thing I could quickly find to an explanation of what happened

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/career_and_jobs/public_sector/article1499983.ece

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Wed May 30th, 2007 at 06:35:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

Thanks, I remember that article from a European Breakfast or Salon. But this

The Government is so far refusing to bale out the employers, although ministers are worried about the escalating costs that could lead to higher council tax bills next year and further cuts in NHS services. Phil Woolas, the Local Government Minister, is considering legal measures to make agreements binding, though these could fall foul of the Equal Pay Act 1970 and a subsequent EU ruling in 2003.

seems to contradict your claim that the councils got grants to pay for higher women's salaries.

It's a scandal all around, I agree.

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu May 31st, 2007 at 01:51:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (4.00 / 4)

The article refers to now. The Government isn't prepared to put the money in now to cover the differences.

The Gender Equality Duty recently came into force in the UK, requiring public authorities to put together an equality scheme that outline actions for ensuring gender equality, BUT, the English regulations do not go so far as mandating equal pay audits (thank you very much, Women in Work Commission).

I'm happy to note though that the specific duties of the Act intend to be stronger in Wales, and will include mandatory equal pay audits for all authorities that fall under that section of the Act. It involves the devolution of certain powers to Wales to give us the ability to do that, but I've been told that by the end of this year, Wales ought to have mandatory equal pay audits in their version of the regulations.

And well done btw, on securing such a good response about your child's school meals (although I thought that Jamie Oliver had single handedly secured an increase to the school meals budget UK wide, to provide healthier food?).

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Thu May 31st, 2007 at 02:58:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

Oh, the quality of the meals is not under question. But a budget increase to improve the quality of the meals doesn't mean a budget increase to pay a fair wage to those pesky "dinner ladies".

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu May 31st, 2007 at 03:09:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

Why do I have this nagging impression that Wales and Scotland are much more civilised places than England?

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Jun 1st, 2007 at 03:21:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

Because they are. We are closer to our Assembly than you can ever be in England to Parliament. I know a number of Welsh AMs and MPs, and can have access to the political process at local and (Welsh) national level relatively easily, through various means.

The values and desire to do to the best for our country (which of course we don't always get right) really drives people here, far more so than in England.
There is also a more tangiable heritage and national identity for Wales and Scotland, that connects people more, I think.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Fri Jun 1st, 2007 at 04:55:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 0)

The values and desire to do to the best for our country (which of course we don't always get right) really drives people here, far more so than in England.

I think that is the main difference.

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Jun 1st, 2007 at 06:14:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (4.00 / 2)

We're still seeing these issues with the unions. It's viewed as a conflict between equality rights and collective bargaining rights.

For example, if an equal pay case would result in X amount being awarded to reduce the pay gap between male and female workers, the unions would also be trying to use the same money to ensure that the terms and conditions of male workers would not be reduced ie using pay protection packages. But the money can't cover both and the GMB were challenged over this recently and lost their case because they failed to secure back pay for the women that they were representing within that particular authority.

I totally detest these no win no fee lawyers and the sooner the gap in the legislation that allows them to take on employment tribunal cases is closed, the better. They have however, made unions and authorities sit right up where equal pay is concerned and we are seeing slow improvements but also silly excuses like the one Migeru was given, that services need to be cut because those damn women want equality.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Thu May 31st, 2007 at 02:47:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

The shortfall could be made up by a very modest increase in council tax. I really don't see the problem at all.

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu May 31st, 2007 at 02:57:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (4.00 / 2)

How about councils not mismanaging practically all of their budgets?

For everything that is important, we seem to see a suggestion that a small increase in council tax is needed for it - which I wouldn't mind so much if council tax allocation was a little fairer in the first place.

Ad astra per aspera

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Thu May 31st, 2007 at 03:00:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

Well, I was amazed at how many issues of financial mismanagement at the council and national level [and moving money from this pot to that pot to cover up for messes] were discussed at just that one Governors meeting.

My council tax bill increase by about £50 this year, so I wouldn't have minded seeing £1 of that go towards equal pay for equal work for school meals, to be honest.

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu May 31st, 2007 at 03:11:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

Excellent. :)

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Wed May 30th, 2007 at 05:17:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

Congratulations, and keep at them. Clearly, you can make a difference!

Grabbing what you can, as John Ruskin said, isn't any less wicked when you grab it with the power of your brains than with the power of your fists.

by geezer in Paris (risico at wanadoo(flypoop)fr) on Thu May 31st, 2007 at 03:11:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

To be honest, I can't imagine being able to do this in Spain. There are many flaws in the British political system, but the local constituency ties of elected officials is not one of them. Now, if we could have single transferable vote...

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu May 31st, 2007 at 03:13:39 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (4.00 / 2)

They were afraid Jamie Oliver and film crew would turn up :-)

Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner - that I moved to Nice. Blog - Nice Experience

by Ted Welch (tedwelch-at-mac-dot-com) on Thu May 31st, 2007 at 04:25:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (4.00 / 6)

And you should be. Nice job. You made a real impact on some very important people--those children. (Actually likely a huge!, perhaps life changing impact on a group of them, who wouldn't otherwise be nourished.) Sometimes we never really see the long range impact of some of our deeds.

by wchurchill on Wed May 30th, 2007 at 05:08:58 PM EST

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

should be proud that is. I meant to reply to your comment, "I am proud", rather than comment to the article.

by wchurchill on Wed May 30th, 2007 at 05:12:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Lobbyists (4.00 / 6)

will be the death of markets everywhere.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Wed May 30th, 2007 at 05:13:20 PM EST

Re: Lobbyists (4.00 / 2)

I can't wait.

Should I get a quote from Cooperative Funeralcare?

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Wed May 30th, 2007 at 05:20:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lobbyists (4.00 / 2)

Nothing wrong with markets.

It's markets "for (rentier) profit" that are the problem.

Yunus of Grameen Bank had it right in Oslo when he talked about "Not for Loss" Corporations: me, I prefer "Profit for Purpose".

Modern conservatives engage in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy: the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.Galbraith

by ChrisCook (cojockathotmaildotcom) on Wed May 30th, 2007 at 05:22:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (4.00 / 2)

fragmenting the school meal service might lead to a loss of economies of scale

What an unconventional and sensible thing to say!

Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.

by Starvid (arvid.hallen at gmail.com) on Thu May 31st, 2007 at 04:58:34 PM EST

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

Good for you! (And the kids who will still get their lunch.)

by lychee on Fri Jun 1st, 2007 at 05:12:03 AM EST

Re: A short, uplifting story (4.00 / 3)

We can afford to pack a lunch [though not a warm meal] but it's astonishing that in this Most-Dynamic-Economy™ in Europe there are so many children (and it's not just a few) who depend on free school meals.

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Jun 1st, 2007 at 06:11:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (4.00 / 3)

Sometimes it has nothing to do with the economy. You can have parents who just don't want to bother with or who don't have the time (think single working parent, although I'm speaking from a U.S., no-social-net perspective) to pack a lunch and instead rely on the schools to provide food. (There are also parents who are just plain neglectful, so good for you for ensuring every kid's got the opportunity for at least one good meal.)

by lychee on Fri Jun 1st, 2007 at 01:56:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

Colman - it's not all bad news

It's only good news when we make them.

Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Jun 1st, 2007 at 06:18:21 AM EST

Re: A short, uplifting story (4.00 / 3)

What timing. Take a look at what was in the local paper today:

What's for lunch? Stigma sandwich

Chula Vista kids with cafeteria bills get cheese, bread
By Chris Moran
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
June 1, 2007
The cheese sandwich has been a remarkably effective collections notice in Chula Vista's elementary schools. When schools give kids no lunch choice but cheese, parents pay what they owe.
Lunch costs $1.50 a day, but the past-due bills aren't small change. Four years ago, Chula Vista parents had run up a lunch tab of $285,000.
"It's a problem across the country," Dennis Doyle, Chula Vista's assistant superintendent, told an audience of principals and parents this week at a monthly meeting as they noshed on roast beef and turkey sandwiches. "How do you make sure that you're not letting children go hungry, and yet at the same time you don't end up with a $300,000 debt?"
The answer in Chula Vista is the cheese sandwich. It's the centerpiece of what's known as the "alternate meal," which also includes milk and a trip to the salad bar. In 2003, the year American cheese on wheat bread made its entry as an entree, the debt shrank by more than $100,000. It stood at $67,800 according to the district's most recent figure.
As a student's account balance dwindles and dips into the red, the school sends a letter home, calls the parents and gives the child a verbal reminder to tell Mom and Dad to send in some money.
When parents fall three meals behind, their child finds a check mark on his personalized lunch card when he picks it up at the beginning of the cafeteria line. That tells him he has no choice but cheese.

The article is quick to point out that this only applies to kids whose parents can afford to pay-- if you are from a low-income family, the cheese-sandwich method does not affect you.

(I have some cookbooks with WWII British rationing recipes. The cheese-on-wheat-bread, salad, and milk combination actually sounds similar to the "Oslo meal," which was touted as a good breakfast.)

by lychee on Fri Jun 1st, 2007 at 02:10:14 PM EST

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

(By the way, I'm not trying to take over the thread, I just thought this would be of interest given the timing....)

by lychee on Fri Jun 1st, 2007 at 02:12:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: A short, uplifting story (none / 1)

<Sigh> I meant "diary," not thread.... Not very awake, am I....

by lychee on Fri Jun 1st, 2007 at 03:09:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

A short, uplifting story | 34 comments (34 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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