A COUNCIL leader has apologised after his cabinet was accused of making a decision over school meals for vulnerable children in "secret" and then keeping elected members in the dark about it.

Flintshire's full council meeting heard on Tuesday that the Welsh Government announced in June that it was ending provision of funding for free school meals in the holidays.

Gwernaffield and Gwernymynydd Councillor David Coggins Cogan put forward a notice of motion to the council, in which he expressed concern over the authority's decision not to fund the free school meals after the Welsh Government had withdrawn funding, or provide part-funding for eligible children.

Cllr Coggins Cogan accused council leader Cllr Ian Roberts and members of the cabinet of making the decision in 'secret', and of withholding that fact from the rest of the council.

He told colleagues: "We live in one of the richest countries on earth and allowing children to go hungry in our community is unforgivable.

"The leadership discussed this issue in informal cabinet, behind closed doors and far away from any scrutiny. Why?

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"If the leader is so confident that withholding the provision of free school meals in the holidays is the right decision, why hide?

"Because it is a political choice.

"Compounding the cabinet's secret discussion was its decision not to inform members of that outcome.

"Had members in this chamber been informed we could have proactively directed parents to the other school holiday programmes."

Cllr Coggins Cogan said as a result, parents were "embarrassed" to ask for the help they relied on.

"This cabinet chose to leave us in the dark and those families exposed," he said.

The councillor also addressed an amendment to his motion, put forward at the last minute.

He continued: "This 'amendment' that has been introduced by a rattled and desperate leader introduces party politics where they did not exist."

After Cllr Ian Roberts began his reply, the meeting had to be adjourned for more than a quarter of an hour whilst facts in dispute between the Labour and Liberal Democrat groups in the council had to be resolved - rather than be argued over openly before the rest of the members and watching public.

Once they were, Cllr Roberts put forward the amendment - in which he apologised for the lack of communication, and pledged the cabinet's commitment to find resources for the Christmas holidays for families on free school meals.

He explained a report is to be presented by a newly established working group to the cabinet in November with proposals for how this can be achieved.

Cllr Roberts said: "The ongoing cost of living crisis forces more and more families throughout Flintshire into food poverty.

"This policy decision not to find free school meals was not communicated to members and I accept that.

"Choosing not to inform members about the discontinuation of the free school meals is regrettable and I do apologise to the chamber.

"The council will work with the Welsh Government in asking it to reinstate provision of resources for free school meals."

The amendment was agreed by Cllr Coggins Cogan and his seconder, Cllr Andrew Parkhurst.

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Cllr Carol Ellis told the meeting: "We have come to listen to a notice of motion about hungry children and it changes into an argument - it's absolutely appalling.

"These decisions should not have been made behind closed doors."

Cllr Richard Jones said: "Shooting from the hip, decisions made at the 11th hour never show the administration in a good light.

"It shows they have no respect really."

Cllr Gina Maddison added: "Can I begin by saying I know what food poverty is - I was the single mother of a child with a disability.

"Free school meals were a godsend, as was the foodbank.

"Every child matters. It doesn't mater if we are Independent, Lib Dem or Labour.

"Can we please forget our party distinctions and think about the child at the centre of this debate."

The motion was passed, with all but two councillors voting in its favour.