Chair of new Proposed Healthy Eating in Schools Measure Committee elected
The first meeting of the Assembly’s Proposed Healthy Eating in Schools Measure Committee was held at the Senedd yesterday (Tuesday May 13th). Kirsty Williams AM was elected Chair of the Committee, which also comprises Jeff Cuthbert, Irene James, Dai Lloyd, and Alun Cairns.
The Committee’s role is to consider and report on the general principles of the proposed Healthy Eating in Schools (Wales) Measure 2008 (‘the proposed Measure’). The proposed Measure was introduced by Jenny Randerson AM following her success in a ballot, which gives an individual Assembly Member to introduce his or her own legislative proposal.
To help inform its work, the Committee will carry out public consultation and take evidence from external stakeholders as well as Jenny Randerson AM and Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning and Skills.
The proposed Measure will place a duty on Welsh Ministers, local education authorities, governing bodies and head teachers to promote healthy eating in schools in Wales. It will also mean that healthy eating becomes part of the inspection regime for schools and that governing bodies will be required to include healthy eating in their annual report to parents. Ministers will also have to report annually on progress on nutrition in schools and on the improving standards. The proposed Measure will also impose a duty on local education authorities to encourage the take up of school meals generally and to ensure that the highest percentage possible of those eligible for free school meals choose to eat them.
Kirsty Williams AM, said: “I am delighted to be chairing the new Proposed Healthy Eating in Schools Measure Committee. It is imperative that we give our children in Wales the best start in life in terms of looking after themselves and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Schools can play a huge role in doing this not just through their teaching but also by making the right foods available to their pupils at meal times. I look forward to working with my colleagues to scrutinise and report on this proposed Measure"
A Measure is a piece of legislation made by the Assembly. It has similar effect to an Act of Parliament. The Assembly is able to pass Measures on any ‘matter’ listed in Schedule 5 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 which currently includes areas such as education and training, health and local government.
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