Aberdeen City Council could have lost out on as much as £700,000 from the UK Government after failing to claim money from the Nursery Milk Scheme.
In 2015-16, the authority spent £71,000 for free milk for under-fives, but was never reimbursed because it didn’t apply.
Claims are meant to be made monthly through an online form. But, in a report by the auditors to the council’s audit, risk and scrutiny committee meeting yesterday, it was revealed no claims have been made since 2007.
The Nursery Milk Scheme, which has been running since the 1940s, funds 1/3 pint (189ml) of milk a day for around 1.5 million children.
Audit committee convener Stephen Flynn said: “It’s an astonishing revelation that the council had failed to get back money it was told it was due. I think we need to get to the root of this problem.
“We need to get clarity from officers because this is such a glaring error. £71,000 is a significant amount. Everyone is aware of the budget pressures and we certainly should be claiming this back.”
Claims to the Nursery Milk Scheme can only be backdated by six months.
Finance convener, Willie Young, countered: “I hope the UK Government do not take the cream off us as this is money that Aberdeen City Council deserves.”
In an agreed response contained within the report, the council stated: “Education and children’s services will liaise with colleagues from the catering Service of Facilities Management to ensure that the council is re-registered with Nursery Milk Reimbursement Unit and appropriate claims for reimbursement are made.”
