Last gasp bid to save crossing patrollers

A last gasp bid  to stop North Ayrshire Council cutting school crossing patrollers has been launched before schools break for the summer holidays.

Last month, the chamber voted not to suspend standing orders to consider a motion opposing the cuts.

A second attempt to have the motion debated has now been launched, alongside a second motion that would permit any petitioners present at the meeting to present their petition against the cuts to the full council meeting.

Several petitions have been started across North Ayrshire, opposing the SNP’s cuts, but the council’s standing orders have also blocked these from being lodged as they fall within six-months of the budget meeting.

And parents and campaigners voiced their opposition to the move outside Cunninghame House following the budget decision.

Frustration at six-month wait

 If the petitioners are forced to wait six-months before their petitions can be lodged, the cuts will have been implemented and the crossing patrollers already removed.

Councillor Nairn Angus-McDonald has lodged the motion seeking to allow any petitioner to present their motion to the meeting.

 He said:  “The council’s democratic mission should be to serve the public, but instead the public are being blocked from holding the council to account.

“Last month the SNP administration blocked a Labour motion from being debated, they shouldn’t block the public from debating their cuts this month.” 

Labour Group leader Joe Cullinane has lodged the motion seeking to overturn the cut. 

The Labour chief added: “This is the final chance for the Council to overturn cuts to school crossing patrollers before they are implemented. 

“These cuts are being made to ‘save’ £92,000, when the council spent over £450million last year. I find it staggering that the council would risk children’s safety over £92,000 and I hope common sense prevails and we overturn these cuts on Wednesday.”

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