The Council Plan, One City for all, 2023-2027 sets out a vision for the council.
Over the next 4 years, we will establish the conditions that would make the city of York a healthier, fairer, more affordable, more sustainable and more accessible place, where everyone feels valued, creating more regional opportunities to help today’s residents and benefit future generations.
We want York residents to live happy, healthy independent lives in communities that care, where the current trend of widening health inequalities is reversed, and people are supported to manage their health and wellbeing, with additional support available for those that need it.
We want every child to be safe, healthy, and happy in strong resilient families, living in diverse inclusive communities, with equal opportunities to ensure they achieve their full potential and the best possible outcomes.
To do this, we want to start good health and wellbeing young, with one of our Council Plan actions being to understand the benefits and scalability of a Free School Meals pilot, with the purpose of public good to transform children’s lives.
Responding to this Council Plan action, the Free School Meals Pilot was approved by Executive in October 2023. See item 40 of the Agenda for Executive on Thursday 12 October 2023 for more information.
Since then, the council has worked together to raise funds for the council to run two free school meal pilots, in Westfield Primary Community School and at Burton Green Primary School. More funding is needed for this to continue. You can find out more about how to make donations at Two Ridings Community Foundation.
Free School Meals research
The York Free School Meals pilots are being evaluated and the research will be published in the autumn. For now, there are plenty of other areas sharing research about the health, attendance and wellbeing benefits of free school meals:
- Child Poverty Action Group: Free School Meals in the North West
- Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, February 2024: Free School Meals cut obesity and help reading skills
Hear more from York Hungry Minds partners across the city.
Stephen Cottrell, The Archbishop of York: (YouTube)
Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health at City of York Council: (YouTube)