In a recent government meeting, officials highlighted the success of the Share Tables program, which is currently implemented in 20 elementary and high schools. This initiative aims to reduce food waste by allowing students and staff to share uneaten food items, such as whole fruits and packaged snacks, instead of discarding them. The program has reportedly made a significant impact, with one school sharing £27 worth of food—75% of which was fruits and vegetables—within a single day. The program is set to continue indefinitely, with no ongoing costs, and there are hopes to expand it to all schools in the county.

Additionally, the meeting featured discussions about the long-standing Sister Cities program, which facilitates student exchanges between local schools and their counterparts in Aachen, Germany. This exchange program, which began in 1998, has been a transformative experience for many students, fostering long-term relationships and cultural understanding. After a hiatus due to the pandemic, both high school and elementary exchanges are scheduled to resume next year. Officials also noted that exchanges with another sister city in France are in the planning stages as they work to recover from pandemic disruptions.