School dinner price rise approved
PAThe price of meals will rise at a number of schools from the start of the autumn term.
Hartlepool Borough Council approved proposals for the in-house school meals service to set a rate of £3.43, the lowest increase of the three options put forward.
About 80% of meals provided by the service are free to pupils, but for the rest the rise from the current rate of £2.79 is expected to come into effect at approximately 15 schools from September.
Director of neighbourhoods Kieran Bostock said he recognised "any increase in the cost of school meals will be a concern for families".
He added: "The cost increase proposed is aimed at finding the balance between providing affordable healthy hot meals whilst reducing the level of subsidy currently required from council tax payers to operate the service."
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a report to the neighbourhoods and regulatory services committee said schools had been advised of possible price increases to "allow them to plan their budgets accordingly".