Council considering charging teachers for parking in school

SWANSEA council is considering a plan to charge teachers for parking in school car parks.

The plans would be introduced from the April 1 if passed.

Under the proposal, each school would decide whether to introduce the charges. The fees would rise depending on the individual’s salary.

One headteacher said that the proposal was “was not a good idea and would sap their morale”.

The head said the idea was presented to a meeting of Swansea headteachers and that said staff at his school were none too pleased with the proposal.

He added: “At the meeting a lot of heads voiced their concerns.”

He claimed the local authority said at the meeting that some other frontline workers had to pay for parking.

“That does not make it right,” he said.

“I think the general opinion was that it was not a good idea, that it would sap the morale of teachers and that they felt undervalued.”

The council said in a statement: “Due to ongoing austerity the money we receive from Government has again been cut in real terms and we have to find in excess of £20m in savings next year so face some very difficult decisions. As part of our wider budget consultation we asked schools, teachers and their unions for their views about introducing a modest charge for onsite parking bringing them in line with many other council workers.

“No decision has been made. All views will be taken into account when final budget proposals are prepared in the coming days but the cabinet is aware of the strength and depth of feeling about this proposal.”