Agenda item

The following Notice of Motion submitted to the County Council by the following Councillor has been referred to the Cabinet in accordance with Standing Order 8(2) for consideration, to refer it to another Committee or make a recommendation back to the Council:

(a)  Flexibility and Action against holiday firms exploiting families, those working in schools and the holiday industry - Councillor Biederman

(Councillor Hart declared both a personal and pecuniary interest in this matter by virtue of being involved in the holiday trade (and left the meeting for consideration of the item).

RESOLVED that Council be recommended to:

(a) recognise that every child has a right to access education and that it is the parent’s legal responsibility to ensure their children of compulsory school age receive a suitable full-time education;

(b) acknowledge that regular attendance at school allows learners to make the most of their education, thereby improving their life chances into adulthood; and

(c) explores with Devon’s Members of Parliament, the tourism sector, schools and parents ways to develop practical policy proposals for Government to limit the price differential between the cost of holidays in and out of school term-time.

(a) Flexibility and Action against holiday firms exploiting families, those working in schools and the holiday industry - Councillor Biederman

(Councillor Hart declared both a personal and pecuniary interest in this matter by virtue of being involved in the holiday trade (and left the meeting for consideration of the item).

(Councillor Biederman attended in accordance with Standing Order 8 and spoke to this item).

The wording of the motion is outlined below.

We must stop the exploitation by Holiday Firms on families and staff in our schools.

Devon County Council recognise the importance of children being at school for the maximum time possible in order for them to be able to thrive and succeed in life after school.

Central government policy, Ofsted and this Council adopt a strong stance against schools and parents, who wish to take children out of school for a family holiday in term time. A five day unauthorised absence can mean a fine of £240 for a family with two school aged children.

The main reason for parents taking children out of school, with the financial and life pressures facing families in these incredibly tough times, is the cost of holidays in the holiday seasons. Holiday firms are clearly exploiting them.

From research on four holidays for a family of four, two adults and two children aged 5-15 for summer 2024, checking dates of 12th July 2024 and 9th August in the same accommodation, the figures are staggering.

1. Butlins Minehead - £946 July & £2437 August, difference £1491

2. Centre Parcs Longleat- £1748 July & £2348 August, difference £600

3. Ruda Croyde - £649 July & £1039 August, difference £390

4. Cyprus Pathos All Inclusive - £4239 July & £5769 August, difference £1524

Research proves that a family holiday can be very important and have massive positive outcomes for both children and parents.

Research conducted by the Family Holiday Association, the charity that helps struggling families to have a break, found that 49% of British people said their happiest memory is being on holiday with their family. The results from the poll of 2,000 British adults revealed that emotional, psychological and social benefits of family holidays last long after the break itself ends.

On these positive outcomes, McDonald of the Family Holiday Association said ‘We consider these to be a ‘happiness anchor’ – reflecting on our happiest memories of joyful time spent together as a family can be extremely powerful in bringing relief and respite when faced with the darker times that life can bring.

"By using these memories as an anchor to take us back to more cheerful moments, we’re often able to approach problems with a fresh sense of perspective.

"But for many without such memories, reigniting a sense of optimism for getting through the tougher times can seem like an impossible.

It also found children that have had the benefit of a holiday break are often inspired and learn better after a holiday.

It’s not just children that suffer, many vital support staff in our schools are on low incomes and have no choice but to take holidays in the School Holidays and so the way holiday companies are exploiting the prices, affects them too.

Devon County Council will

(a)  Write to Head Teachers, Academies in Devon Schools to urge them to be sympathetic to requests for holiday in term time, giving consideration to individual children’s family circumstances, their previous attendance levels, and the importance of the school year that the child is in.

(b)  Write to Ofsted seeking their assurance that schools taking a more flexible approach to school absences for family holidays is not counted against them.

(c)  Write to the Local Government Association and appropriate government ministers to ask for a review of what holiday companies can charge. Butlins for example have increased their price by roughly x 2.5 the price of one month earlier.

The level at which holiday companies are increasing prices of course, means parents are willing to take the fine, as in all my examples, it’s far less than the extra cost of taking the holiday in the school holidays ….. perhaps it’s the Holiday firms that should be fined if they charge more than 20% extra on any holiday over their average price over the year.

Members considered the Officer’s factual briefing note on the matter (LDS/24/17) which referred to the legal requirement under section 7 of the Education Act 1996 that children receive full-time education suitable to their age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs that they may have and the benefits of attending school regularly for academic attainment, safety, development and wellbeing. It also highlighted the Government guidance on requests for term time absence. The Council had also recently approved the School Penalty Notice Code of Conduct for unauthorised irregular attendance at school or exclusion from school. The briefing paper also recognised the change of attitude for term time holidays since the pandemic and the cost differential which allowed some families to take holidays, they would not otherwise be able to afford.

The Cabinet considered the recommendation before them, and the actions proposed and already undertaken and any other relevant factors:

It was MOVED by Councillor McInnes, SECONDED by Councillor Hughes, and

RESOLVED that Council be recommended to:

(a) recognise that every child has a right to access education and that it is the parent’s legal responsibility to ensure their children of compulsory school age receive a suitable full-time education;

(b) acknowledge that regular attendance at school allows learners to make the most of their education, thereby improving their life chances into adulthood; and

(c) explores with Devon’s Members of Parliament, the tourism sector, schools and parents ways to develop practical policy proposals for Government to limit the price differential between the cost of holidays in and out of school term-time.