Do you qualify for assistance with school uniforms?

Bournemouth parents have been urged to seek assistance from the Council with the cost of purchasing new school uniforms.

Bournemouth’s Conservative Councillors put forward a motion calling for the Council to publicise the existence of the ‘Necessitous Clothing Grant Fund’ at last night’s council meeting. The motion was passed unanimously.

Conservative Group Leader, Councillor Stephen MacLoughlin (Central Ward) who proposed the motion asking that all secondary schools make parents/guardians of Year 7 children starting in September aware of the Fund, said:

“Buying new school uniforms can be a very expensive business. It comes at a time of year which is already expensive, with the cost for parents of additional child care or entertainment during the school holidays. We want to make sure that they are aware that assistance may be available from the Council for them”.

Stephen was supported by Cllr Lynda Price (Talbot and Branksome Woods) at the meeting. “I’m very pleased Council accepted our motion,” says Lynda. “Now is the right time to remind anyone who may be eligible for a grant before they buy uniforms for Year 7 (start of secondary school). I’m pleased to see that the Council will be doing this. Raising awareness of the scheme will enable families to budget accordingly.”

More information about the Necessitous Clothing Grant Fund can be obtained from Andy Hallowell at Bournemouth Council, tel 01202 456344 or from Claire Smith, the Cabinet member responsible for Children’s Services via the Town Hall.