Perth and Kinross Council has agreed to write off outstanding school meal and breakfast club debts for 2022/23.
The unanimous decision was taken by PKC's Finance and Resources Committee on Wednesday, June 7.
It is hoped the move will support vulnerable families affected by the current cost of living crisis.
A motion to write off debts and obsolete stock recommended councillors write off £44,022 of the outstanding school meal/breakfast club debt leaving a balance of £12,871.
PKC's finance chief Stewart Mackenzie said: "As of March 31, 2023 we have £56,893 of outstanding debt relating to school meals and breakfast clubs so that's both categories of debts. We have provided for £44,022 of that total which leaves a balance of outstanding school meals and breakfast club debts of £12,871."
Perth City North councillor John Rebbeck tabled an amendment to write off the remaining £12,871 of school meal/breakfast club debt in response to the "extraordinary circumstances we find ourselves in".
Cllr Rebbeck's amendment said: "In recognition of the pressures facing vulnerable families across Perth and Kinross in this cost of living crisis, this amendment seeks to go further.
"On a one-off non-recurring basis and specifically in relation to school meal/breakfast club debt, this amendment proposes to write off the balance at 31 March 2023 of £12,871."
Perth City Centre councillor Peter Barrett was happy to "readily" second the amendment and was "reassured" to hear PKC would not refuse a meal to a hungry primary school child.
Council leader Grant Laing said: "I believe we as an organisation will not refuse a meal to a primary school child who presents for a meal so if they present for a meal and it's not prepaid, we'll still give them a meal."
Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Barrett said: "I am acutely aware of the impact and stresses that small amounts of debt can have on families, the families who are just about managing but who are hit with unforeseen expense, or change of circumstance illness of a family member, redundancy, death in the family, delays in receiving benefits particularly delays in benefits being or those families in work but just beyond the universal credit thresholds and not receiving free school meal support.
He added: "My intention in supporting this motion is to improve one aspect of the council’s response to child poverty and hunger and support those families, to demonstrate greater compassion and care towards those families and take another step sure that no child will go hungry at school or is stigmatised by the processes in place for children to access a meal in school. I am particularly reassured by the approach taken at school canteen doors and dining rooms to ensure that no child presenting for a school meal is turned away."
The amendment was included into the motion and unanimously approved.
