At our Full Council Meeting held last night at Cleethorpes Town Hall it appears that most members were already in looking forward to a Christmas break – it was one of the shortest council meetings for many months – all over and done with in seventy five minutes.

However, from the start I knew that I had a Notice of Motion to move and that I was going relish asking a question relating to a Liberal Democrat Manifesto Pledge that is now making a real difference to children in my own ward and many other wards throughout the rest of the country.

My opportunity to ask a question arose when the Mayor asked for questions on the Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel held 3rd December and I asked “Madam Mayor, a question more appropriate to the Portfolio rather than the Scrutiny Chair; at the meeting the Panel queried the percentages of total take up and the free school meals element. Officers agreed to respond to this outside the meeting. Can the Portfolio Holder, therefore tell me what action the officers are taking to increase Free School Meals?”

Councillor Ian Lindley the Portfolio Holder for People Services (Labour) replied by saying: “Officers are presently working on this and I will write to Councillor Beasant with a reply.”

In response, I rose again, “Madam Mayor, it’s now several weeks since the meeting and bearing in mind that this week we have had the announcement to widen the Pupil Premium – it’s is now imperative that we increase Free School Meal take-up; OR does the Portfolio Holder just agree with Manchester City Council, Labour Councillors who say that the Pupil Premium is a SHAM?”

Councillor Ian Lindley in response replied: “I suppose I would have to agree with Manchester City Council, Labour Councillors.”

Surprise, Surprise another Labour Group who are envious of a Liberal Democrat Policy that is really making difference, in North East Lincolnshire I am really sure that this policy will help and assist in raising educational achievement in our disadvantaged communities such as East Marsh (my own ward), West Marsh (Ian Lindley’s ward) and other ward throughout the borough.

Interestingly, North East Lincolnshire Council will now receive £4,019,000 in Pupil Premium in the year 2012/13 – not a figure to be snub at for a small authority!

To read further details about the Pupil Premium, view HERE.

And, to read Nick Thornsby blog post on the Liberal Democrat Voice Website about the bizarre news from Manchester, where their Council’s ruling Labour group passed a motion declaring the pupil premium a “sham”, view HERE.