WANDWORTH COUNCIL TO SCRAP SCHOOL CROSSING

16/07/2012

GMB CONDEM VOTE AT WANDWORTH COUNCIL TO SCRAP SCHOOL CROSSING PATROLS (LOLLIPOP MEN AND LADIES) TONIGHT 11 JULY GMB is calling on school governors to mobilise parents into a major campaign to get this decision reversed. GMB, the union for education support staff, is calling for a public campaign against proposals to scrap funding for school crossing patrol staff. Tonight, at 7:30pm, a full council meeting at Wandsworth Town Hall will vote on removing funding for all the school crossing patrols (‘lollipop’ men and ladies) across the borough. See notes to editor for the list of schools affected and the names of the roads where there are patrol crossings. Paul Maloney GMB regional secretary said “This means from January 2013 schools will be expected to fund them themselves. But most schools are not allowed to do this with their main funding, and do not have other available funds to pay for this. At best, schools will have to rely on volunteers and goodwill to provide this vital service. At worst, many schools will simply lose their crossing patrols. This will lead to school children being injured and killed on these busy roads. Have the Tories no shame? GMB believe that Wandsworth Council, and councillors, have got it completely wrong on this issue. Their first priority should be keeping our children safe – not penny pinching. Nationally local authorities are cutting funding on road safety – the result has been more people killed and seriously injured on our roads. We can’t have this happen in Wandsworth – we should be working for improve road safety, not making cuts that remove some of the most effective measures to keep our children safe on local roads. GMB is calling on school governors to mobilise parents into a major campaign to get this decision reversed.” End Contact: Paul Maloney, GMB Regional Secretary on 07801 34839 or Paul Grafton 07714 239092