North Northamptonshire Council is set to discuss the potential recommissioning of its Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme, a scheme providing free meals and activities to children during school holidays. The proposal, recommended for approval, aims to build on the program's past successes and continue supporting vulnerable families.
The HAF Programme, funded by the Department for Education (DfE), targets children aged five to 16 who receive benefit-related free school meals. Elizabeth Wright, executive member for children, education and families, emphasized that recommissioning would foster collaboration with local voluntary, community, and sports organizations.
Nationally, the government announced a three-year extension for the scheme in 2023, supported by a £600 million investment. In North Northamptonshire, the current contract for the program was awarded to Northamptonshire Sport in 2023 for an initial two-year period with two optional 12-month extensions. Both extensions have been utilized, and the current contract is set to expire in March 2027.
Participation numbers in the summer of 2025 saw a slight decrease, with over 2,100 children attending, compared to 2,630 in 2024 and 2,250 in 2023. External reports attributed this decline to a change in the booking system, which officers noted would require further monitoring.
Historically, North Northamptonshire Council has received approximately £1.1 million annually for administering the scheme. The activities offered have spanned various disciplines, from drama to computer programming, all incorporating physical exercise.
Should the recommissioning be approved, the council plans to tender the contract, with an anticipated award in November. Separately, West Northamptonshire Council is scheduled to review its own HAF Programme arrangements beyond March 2027 in September, but declined to comment further as the process is ongoing.