1. What was the total amount of school lunch debt (in £) at the end of each the last six school terms? (End of Autumn term 2021-22 through to the end of summer term 2022-23) Please provide this as a ‘snapshot’ on the last day of term, with separate figures for primary and secondary schools.
The SMK agreement is only with 18 of the local schools (both local authority and academies). We do not get involved with the recording or monitoring of school lunch debt.

2. What was the total number of pupils with school lunch debt at the end of each of the last six school terms? Again, please provide this as a snapshot with separate figures for primary and secondary schools.
The SMK agreement is only with 18 of the local schools (both local authority and academies). We do not get involved with the recording or monitoring of school lunch debt.

3. Can secondary pupils with a zero or negative balance on their school meal account access a school meal?
This is a matter for each individual school.

4. Does debt on the school meal system get referred to the council for debt collection? Does the Council use external debt agencies or bailiffs to collect school meal debt?
WBC does not get involved in school meal debt collection. This is a matter for individual schools.

5. Do you use a cashless payment system for school meals in a) Primary and b) Secondary school? If so, which system is used?
The SMK agreement is only with 18 of the local schools (both local authority and academies). We do not get involved with the recording or monitoring of school lunch debt. It is up to the individual schools to manage the Tucasi system.

6. Where a family makes a late application for free school meals does this write-off any debt that may have already accrued or does the debt have to be paid?
This is a matter for each individual school and the school’s own policy.