Cornwall has been allocated almost £850,000 to expand kitchen and dining facilities in primary schools.

The funds are part of the Government’s initiative to provide free schools meals for all infants from September 2014.

Andrew Wallis, the council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said that this would help ensure that every child in reception and years one and two in Cornwall receive a healthy meal during the day.

“This is good news for children and parents in Cornwall” he said. “Research shows that children who have a healthy meal at lunchtime are more alert and do better at school. We know that many parents and carers in Cornwall are struggling to cope with the pressures on their household budgets and providing their children with free school meals will help put money back into their pockets. “

There are 236 primary schools in Cornwall, of which four fifths have working kitchens. The remaining fifth of primary schools currently have serveries, ie where meals are brought in from another school / kitchen.

A detailed survey of existing facilities in local authority maintained schools will need to be carried out in January to identify where expansion or new kitchens may need to be provided to cope with the anticipated increase in numbers of children requiring a school lunch.

“The September 2014 deadline for the scheme to come into operation gives us a challenging deadline as the works will have to be carried out while schools are closed” said Sharon Hindley from Cornwall Council. “However the Local authority will work closely with headteachers and governors to support schools to be ready for September 2014.”