Decision details

The county council is considering its current policy for the supply of Halal meat to schools. The council currently provides both stunned and un-stunned halal meat in a small number of schools (27) across multiple districts, providing this service for the provision of school meals where there is the demand for it from the Muslim community and where the Headteacher and Governing Body request this for a proportion of their children. The county council is considering the proposal that, where halal meat is supplied, this must be stunned.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the provisions of Standing Order C19 have been complied with.

The Cabinet Resolved:

That,

(i)  the review, as set out at Appendix 'A' and associated annexes together with background papers demonstrating the history of this policy area, be noted.

(ii)  the findings from the public consultation (Appendix 'B') and the updated Equality Analysis (Appendix 'C') be noted.

(iii)  the supply of un-stunned halal meat, with the exception of poultry, to schools be ceased . 

(iv)  a further discussion be held with the Lancashire Council of Mosques to see how the implications of the decision at (iii) above can be mitigated should the Lancashire Council of Mosques proceed with its threat to boycott school meals.