School crossing patrols are saved

COUNCIL chiefs have scrapped hugely controversial plans to axe funding for school crossing patrols.

Staffordshire County Council had been looking to end support for its 248 lollipop patrols to save over £1m, as part of its budget cuts.

But following a major campaign led by parents to save the service – including a 7,000name petition – council leaders have now decided to drop the plans from their final budget proposals.

Matt Wall has two children at Woodcroft First School in Leek.

He said: “It is great news that Staffordshire County Council is still going to fund crossing wardens.

“However it does not help Woodcroft First School at this time. The crossing warden finished last summer and we have not been allocated a replacement due, it seems, to the fact that the county council was proposing to axe the crossing wardens this year.

“Does this now mean that the crossing warden position will be advertised and a new one put in place urgently?”

Schools and parish councils had been invited to take over the funding of crossing patrols, with uniforms and equipment still being provided by the county.

But campaigners feared there would be no cash available for this and accused the county council of putting children’s lives at risk.

Council leaders say they have listened to public and staff feedback and concluded that ‘this is not the right time to pursue this option,’ meaning the funding will remain in place.

Councillor Helen Fisher, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We all know crossing patrols do valued community work and it was clear from the consultations that

members of the public hugely value the role their patrol plays in the community.

“We have listened and acted on what people have told us and although it will cost £1.4m a year to continue to fund the service, we have taken the decision not to progress with these proposals and our patrols will continue as before to serve their communities.

“I would like to thank everybody who took part in the consultations and also parish councils and local businesses which stepped forward to offer a local community solution.

“I would also like to say a huge thank you to the school crossing patrols themselves for their hard work during this unsettling time.”

The county council secured one-off additional funding for care and highways as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement.

Final budget proposals will be presented to cabinet members on January 30, before going to full council in February.