Perthshire school crossing patrols face axe despite planned 4.25% hike

All school crossing patrollers in Perthshire could be scrapped amid moves to cut £4.5 million from the council budget.

Supply teacher spending, swimming lessons and winter gritting programmes could be slashed – with council chiefs admitting education and safety may be compromised.

They are among a raft of options to save money in this year’s budget.

Chief executive Thomas Glen said the local authority faces making “difficult decisions” at next Wednesday’s meeting due to inflation and demand on services. Proposals include:

1. Scrap all remaining school crossing patrollers. Saving: £179,000.

2. Remove primary swimming lessons. Saving: £60,000.

3. Scrap school supply contingency budget for teachers. Saving: £152,000.

4. Reduce primary teacher numbers. Saving: £344,000.

5. Increase charges by 5% within education and children’s services. Saving: £45,000.

6. Reduce community greenspace maintenance. Saving: £35,000.

7. Cut summer grounds maintenance. Saving: £95,000.

8. Close public toilets. Saving: £35,000.

9. Winter maintenance – limit hours. Saving: £40,000.

10. Winter maintenance – reduce coverage. Saving: £322,000.

11. Change gritting schedules. Saving: £75,000.

12. Cut modern apprenticeships. Saving: £150,000.

Councillors have agreed to a provisional tax rise of 4.25%, though it will be down to elected members to decide next week what level of rise to impose.

Mr Glen said: “Rising inflation means many services and projects are costing more to deliver. In addition, demand for services and the changing needs of our residents is adding further pressure to the council budget.

“I am pleased the budget report also outlines an organisational wide transformation and change programme that will help address the significant financial, economic, social and environmental challenges the council and local communities are facing.”

School patrols could end.