£232,000 scheme to solve '˜significant health and safety risks' of providing more dinners at Leeds school

A report to Leeds City Council states the work is needed so Pudsey Lowtown Primary School complies with a Government requirement for all primary schools to offer a hot free school meal to all children in reception, year one, and year two.

The report states: “The proposed scheme comprises of a kitchen extension and refurbishment of the existing including the installation of new kitchen equipment which is scheduled to be complete for October 2017.

“This will address significant health and safety concerns around the delivery of hot meals in the school.”

The Government’s Children and Families Bill 2014 set out a commitment for all primary schools to offer a free hot meal to children in the ‘Universal Infant Free School Meals’ programme.

The report adds: “As a result of significant health and safety risks posed through delivery of an increased number of hot meals at Pudsey Lowtown Primary School, the project is required to ensure a sustainable solution to address the Health & Safety risks that have been identified.”

Leeds City Council’s director of children’s services has approved the scheme.