Pupils question lollipop policy
YOUNG politicians confronted councillors to demand answers over controversial plans to axe their school lollipop wardens.
Fourteen pupils from Milton Primary were granted a meeting amid Stoke-on-Trent City Council's budget meeting, during which £21 million of cuts were sanctioned.
The measures mean most of the city's lollipop crossing patrols face redundancy, with the council claiming pelican crossings serve the same purpose.
But Jack Barber, aged 11, chairman of his school council, lead calls for the council to rethink its unpopular plan.
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The youngster, who lives in Milton, said: "We talked to the council about the difficulties faced by children when they are coming to and from school because of the busy junction, lack of warning signs, a bus stop and a high volume of traffic.
"All these are very worrying because we do not feel safe as drivers often come too fast or do not see us in time because of the high level of congestion."
The children discussed their concerns with Lord Mayor Terry Crowe and councillor Alan Dutton, cabinet member for education.
Xara Gribble, aged 10, vice chairman of the school council, from Norton Heights said: "We particularly needed to discuss our concern about the removal of our crossing patrol attendants. It was a lifetime opportunity and it gave us the opportunity to discuss our concerns."
Among the postitions under threat is lollipop man Fred Perry, aged 65, of Adam Street, Milton, who patrols Bagnall Road.
Jayne Barber, aged 43, of Norbury Avenue, Milton, could also face redundancy.
Headteacher Jean Meredith told The Sentinel that the school are now waiting for the final decision before deciding whether they will use the school budget to keep their wardens on.
She said: "The children value their education and they raised concerns with the council that funding would have to come out of the school budget put aside for school improvements.
"Without a crossing patrol the children will not be safe and that is why they wanted to speak with councillors directly."
In total, 43 lollipop crossing wardens are under threat at 37 schools as part of the council's cuts programme for teh forthcoming financial year.
Jack Brereton, Conservative councillor for Baddeley, Milton and Norton said: "This authority clearly does not see the safety of school children as a priority."
The students were also given a tour of the Lord Mayor's chambers before beginning their debate.
However, councillor Alan Dutton challenged the children over their concerns.
He said: "When asked, all the children knew how to use a pelican crossing. It is a lollipop person that is automatic."
4 Comments
by bobble1956
Monday, March 04 2013, 9:34PM
“It will end up as carnage at the school gates. Children will be pressing the button every 5 seconds meaning that traffic will be held up interminably. Drivers will lose patience and eventually run a red light. Splat.
This needs a drastic rethink.
Got it. John Whatsisname can put 5 grand in the pot for starters, then there's the 50 grand that Mo Choudary didn't get, half way there already.”
by Robnoxious
Monday, March 04 2013, 11:26AM
“Someone is kidding us somewhere. The Lord Mayor, Terry Crow and Councillor Alan Dutton. Birds of a feather. Confronted COUNCILLORS TO DEMAND ANSWERS? I take the Lord Mayor stopped the meeting and has expelled them from the school. TO RETHINK IT'S UNPOPULAR PLAN? They can't THINK, that is the problem. I can imagine the best answer they would get out of them when questioned about school crossings is, NOT EVERYTHING IS BLACK AND WHITE, Pelican or Zebra.
But when Alan Dutton challenges the children on how to work them, Whats your problem,you know how to work them. Which was stated at the budget meeting. As with all the hits they come out with. This Council know how to use the toilet, but forget to flush it. Leaving other people with the mess. Just like the money spend and cutbacks to jobs and services. Is there a toilet big enough to get rid all of them. For some of them, we will probably end up with a blockage. So we might have to phone the Fire Brigade. As for the lollipop people, we know who the real lickers are. Buthead to Civic Centre.
POSING AS LABOUR. Fred Perry, a great tennis player, but in this instance, from me to you, to you
to me, The CHUCKLE BROTHERS. Sums them all up. A LOAD OF HALFWITS.”
by GilbertL
Monday, March 04 2013, 10:13AM
“I concur Backdoored. Children have no concept of drivers' capability or understanding of laws and rules of the road. We can teach children to cross the roads safely, but this will have no effect if drivers fail to use the knowledge and skills they have learned.”
by Backdoored
Monday, March 04 2013, 9:44AM
“Taking away the Lollipop ladies and gentlemen -means the Council is putting its trust in the motorist to protect our young children.
I'm afraid history shows it to be to the contrary. That's why the 'Lollipop Wardens' came into existence in the first place. -In the main, motorists are very selfish people. I fear for the future.”