COUNCILLORS of all political parties have united in an effort to ensure that as many children as possible in Swindon have the chance of a hot school meal.

Liberal Democrat leader Coun Mike Evemy (Eastcott) won the backing of the Tory administration with his motion: "The council is concerned that Swindon schoolchildren may in the future be denied the opportunity to enjoy a hot school meal. The council is aware that a hot meal at school is for many schoolchildren the only hot meal they receive in a day and that to deny them such an opportunity may have a detrimental effect on their health and well-being.

"As school budgets are delegated to individual schools for administration, each school is requested to endeavour to provide a hot meal for children if parents request it."

Coun Kevin Small (Western), the leader of the Labour group, also proposed a similar motion, saying: "For the children of many parents experiencing difficulties, the food they have at school is their only chance of a hot meal."

While not objecting to the motion, Coun Garry Perkins (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms), the lead member for education, pointed out that the council could not force schools to provide hot meals.