Your Skipton Radio

6:00pm - 6:30am

Email the studio

Bananarama

Love In The First Degree

Listen Live Podcasts

North Yorkshire Council to get £1.4m for free holiday activities for children

Tuesday, 25 March 2025 08:26

By Joe Willis, Local Democracy Reporter

(Image: Pexels)

North Yorkshire Council is to get more than £1.4m to provide free holiday activities for children.

The government money will fund thousands of places for children from low-income homes as part of the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme scheme.

Free places will be offered to all means tested free school meal-eligible school age children up to the age of 16.

The programme will include nonsubsidised fee-paying places for other children.

The scheme will offer four hours of activities per day for four days at Easter, 16 days during the summer holidays and then four days at Christmas.

This will be the fifth year the council has taken part in the scheme.

In North Yorkshire, the programme is delivered as a partnership between the council and local community providers.

The North Yorkshire programme – FEAST – is coordinated by North Yorkshire Together members, North Yorkshire Sport, North Yorkshire Youth and Rural Arts.

Marie-Ann Jackson, the council’s head of localities, said in a report for councillors:

“The programme is fully funded and offers valued free to access activities and food to children and families on low incomes when free school meals are not available.

“Without the grant these activities would not be available.”

The grant is set to be formally accepted at a meeting of senior councillors and officers from the children and young people’s service tomorrow (TUESDAY).

FEAST vouchers for free places are sent to eligible children’s primary by email or text.

For details of activities, visit www.northyorkshiretogether.co.uk

More from Local news

Skipton Business Awards finalists revealed after more than 1,200 nominations

Skipton BID has announced this year's Business Awards finalists after more than 1,200 nominations.
Yorkshire children invited to nominate their parents to be 'slimed' on CBBC

Children across Yorkshire are being invited to nominate an adult in their life to be covered in slime live on CBBC.
Fresh calls for school transport changes to be abandoned amid claim council is ignoring own policy

North Yorkshire Council is facing fresh calls to abandon its controversial new home-to-school policy after it emerged that the authority was not following its own rules on how to assess eligibility.
Funding agreed to progress work on Skipton leisure hub redevelopments

North Yorkshire Council has approved the release of £360,000 to progress plans redevelop two leisure centres.
Community rallies to help elderly driver find 'missing' car in Skipton

The Skipton community has been thanked for rallying together to help an elderly driver find his car after he forgot where he had parked it.
Dales Dazzler trail running event returns to Skipton

Runners are set to take on some of the Yorkshire Dales’ most scenic trails when the Punk Panther Dales Dazzler returns to Skipton later this month.
Everything you need to know about Skipton Pride this weekend

Skipton Pride returns tomorrow (Saturday 8th August) for a day of live music, drag performances and family-friendly entertainment.
Police appeal after driver forgets where car was parked in Skipton

A police appeal has been launched after the owner of a car forgot where it was parked in Skipton.
Shoplifter caught trying to dump stolen goods in Skipton bin

A man has been remanded in custody after allegedly trying to dispose of stolen goods in a rubbish bin while being watched by police in Skipton.
Councillor breaks national fundraising record with charity head shave

A North Yorkshire councillor has broken national records by raising more than £17,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support after having head and beard shaved.
Festival director facing court after cancelled Skipton event

The director of a food and drink festival which was cancelled just weeks before it was due to take place in Skipton is facing court proceedings.
Yorkshire marketing business raises £1,000 for Skipton children's charity

A Yorkshire marketing consultancy has raised more than £1,000 for Skipton-based The Principle Trust Children's Charity through a series of networking and co-working events supporting both local businesses and a local cause.
Team to push car 130 miles in extraordinary charity challenge inspired by young boy's courage

A Yorkshire family is preparing to push a car 130 miles from Sheffield to Silverstone in an incredible fundraising challenge inspired by the remarkable courage of 12-year-old Luke Mortimer.
Only one more day left to enjoy Skipton Cinema Days this summer

There's just one day left for film fans to enjoy Skipton's free outdoor cinema this summer
Hundreds gather in Skipton for another successful Yorkshire Day event

Crowds gathered in their hundreds in Skipton over the weekend for another successful Yorkshire Day celebration.
Safety reminder after rubbish found in Skipton knife bin

Police are reminding residents to use Skipton's knife surrender bin correctly after rubbish left inside created a potential safety risk.
Skipton bakery retains North Yorkshire's best bakery title for second year

A family-run bakery in Skipton has been crowned the best in North Yorkshire for the second year running.
MP raises Cowling speeding concerns with police and council after residents' complaints

Concerns over speeding and road safety in Cowling have been raised with North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Council by Skipton and Ripon MP Sir Julian Smith following reports from local residents.
Right at Home celebrates official opening of new office

The award-winning homecare provider supporting people across Ilkley, Skipton, Keighley and the surrounding area has officially opened its new office.
Wanted man found hiding in wardrobe during Skipton arrest

A man wanted by North Yorkshire Police has been arrested in Skipton after officers discovered him hiding inside a wardrobe.