Dear Vince,
Thank you for the attached letter to Martin and I, and I am replying on behalf of us both.
I was delighted that we were able to agree with CAM to redirect the Emergency Assistance Grant into the provision of Free School Meals. Dan MacDonald and his team did a fantastic job on behalf of the children and families in Medway.
Your question about future funding is made in the context of an ongoing national crisis. As such I will await reaction from central government to this particular issue, and will certainly not commit Medway funding to future provision until I am clearer about the stance government is taking. That I think is the reaction that any responsible Leader should take at this point.
In closing I must say how very disappointing I was to find you and your team politicising this matter. I have seen this in written and spoken media (most recently from your Deputy on Paul on Politics), and find it unacceptable. I recommend you desist from that approach forthwith. It is unacceptable that you choose to prey on the fears of vulnerable people in this way in order to seek shallow political advantage.
As this is of public interest we will be placing this response on our social media outlets.
Regards
Cllr. Alan Jarrett
Leader,
Medway Council
