School crossing patrols face axe at sites across Hampshire
Conservative controlled Hampshire county council seek to save £1.1m
Last updated 20th Sep 2023
A number of school crossing patrols outside Hampshire schools could be axed as part of budget proposal which aims to save £1.1 million by the end of the service.
The proposals form part of Hampshire County Council’s efforts to reduce its expensed over the next two or three years and is part of a strategy to reduce the £132 million financial gap for the 2025/26 budget. With no expected forthcoming government financial support, the County Council has set, through its public consultations, a number of proposals that are expected to generate a supplement of £90.4 million on savings by each directorate.
However, the County Council has warned more will be needed to meet the remaining budget gap to 2025/26.
As a result the County Council is considering reducing or finishing most non-statutory services in the county, one of which included the change or redundancy of the School Crossing Patrolling.
By doing so, the council estimated it could save £1.1 million, which will go into the savings bag.
If its plans are approved, Hampshire County Council says it will assess each school’s situation and find an alternative where possible.
Aldershot parent, Lisa Greenway, said:
“Thousands of children in Hampshire use school patrols every. For many, the lollipop man or lady is the first familiar face the child sees daily. The school crossing patrol is not just a safe value. They are so much more.
“Many children walk to school, often without their parents who are working. Many of them walk many roads only just to be stopped by the crossing patrols and then to cross safely. As we educate children, they are just that, children. Many would not concentrate on the environment around them. Without the lollipop person, children’s safety would be put in danger.
“Schools rely on school crossing patrol since they are a safe barrier for children who walk to school. Many drivers respect their authority, and unfortunately others don’t respect the wish of a child who wants to cross. Children do not have the experience to assess, as we adults have, they are at more risk."
Another resident, Bill O’Donnovan, said that the end of the service will imply more parents taking their children to school. As a result, traffic and carbon emissions will increase, which is against Hampshire County Council’s goal of zero-emission by 2030.
Basingstoke South West Conservative Councillor Stephen Reid said:
“Take the £1.1 million out of the savings. Take the review and speak with the schools and parents. Otherwise, people would think this is a shameful consultation because money is taken already”.
Executive Lead Member for Universal Services, Conservative Councillor Nick Adams-King, said:
“None of us want to do this job and be elected to take this decision. But this is not the end of the process, this is the beginning. Some proposals still need further consultations.
“We need to take a holistic approach, look at the reports, the impacts and the assessments that we have to the different proposals. We have a situation where, unusually, as a council, we work two years ahead.
“We have the responsibility to get children to school safely, but maybe there are practical things that can do that mean we don’t need the school crossing patrol at some places, but maybe in other sites, there won’t be possible not to have them around.
“A lot of work is yet to be done.”