The kitchen at Hermitage Academy will remain open from Monday for children who are entitled to free school meals.
All state schools in Scotland will close today because of the coronavirus pandemic.
But Argyll and Bute Council has announced that it will still be opening 10 of its school kitchens to ensure that children who qualify for free meals can still receive them.
Th academy kitchen will be open every weekday between 12 noon and 12.30pm so that a lunch can be collected for anyone entitled to a free school meal.
The other schools in involved are Dunoon Grammar, Rothesay Joint Campus, Oban High, Castlehill Primary, Lochgilphead Joint Campus, Tarbert Academy, Tiree High, Tobermory High and Islay High.
The council says that the number of kitchens that are open may also be expanded depending on demand in the coming weeks.
The council’s early years team’s helpline for parents, carers and providers of childcare services will remain open from 9am until 5pm on weekdays to provide support.
Anyone with questions about childcare provision, ideas for learning or who simply wants a chat can contact the team on 01369 708 503 or email earlyyears@argyll-bute.gov.uk .
I have raised my concerns on this matter by email with senior Council officers this morning. I have raised my concerns that in the Helensburgh & Lomond Area, these meals will only be available at Hermitage Academy and that yet again, those in our rural areas of the Helensburgh & Lomond appear to be being put at a clear disadvantage and are a lower priority that those living in Helensburgh.
This will mean that many of my constituents will have almost a 40 mile daily round trip (200 miles a week) from parts of the Rosneath Peninsula and the Arrochar area to collect a free school meal. The cost of the petrol in collecting a free school meal is probably more that the cost of the meal. Families on low incomes car hardly be expected to incur these extra costs 5 days a week to ensure that their children have access to the free school meals they are entitled to. The cost of the petrol could be in the region of over £30 a week, money that many families cannot afford.
I have asked if any thought been given to the needs of the children in the rural areas in my ward and what can be done to ensure that they have access to the free school meals they are entitled to and are not put at a clear disadvantage compared with the children in Helensburgh? I now await a reply.
Councillor George Freeman
Independent Councillor
Ward 9 – Lomond North
Argyll & Bute Council