Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Lelliott

Commissioner:         Kenny (in advisory role)

Recommendations:

1.    That school crossing patrols at crossing points be funded only where national and local road safety criteria are met.

2.    That schools currently in receipt of a patroller at a crossing which does not meet this criteria be offered a charged Service Level Agreement to allow the service to continue.

3.    That a full independent survey review of school crossing patrol points take place every four years, with the first survey being undertaken in 2017/18. 

Consideration was given to a report which detailed how the provision of school crossing patrols was a discretionary service. It was not a legal requirement, although where patrols did exist there was a legal requirement for the Council to manage them.  It was a highly regarded public service which assisted in the daily crossing of children to and from school. There were currently 74 school crossing patrol points in Rotherham which were funded by the Council.

A review of school crossing patrols had been undertaken, informed by an independent survey of patrol points and evaluation of risk, which was requested by Elected Members, and a savings target for the service of £30,000.  A consultation was also undertaken with schools during June and July, 2016.

This report, therefore, presented the findings of the survey and consultation and made recommendations regarding the future of the service, including the proposal to introduce a service level agreement for some school crossing patrol services with schools.

Cabinet Members welcomed the consultation approach to secure the continuity of a valued service alongside the proposals to improve road safety.

Resolved:-

1.         That school crossing patrols at crossing points be funded only where national and local road safety criteria are met.

2.         That schools, currently in receipt of a patroller at a crossing which does not meet this criteria, be offered a charged Service Level Agreement to allow the service to continue.

3.         That a full independent survey review of school crossing patrol points take place every four years, with the first survey being undertaken in 2017/18.