Change name of crossing patrols say Lib Dems

Rochdale Lib Dem Leader Councillor Andy Kelly has called for school crossing patrols to renamed 'community crossing patrols' to properly reflect the excellent job they do in making our streets safer for all. He called for the change at a meeting of Rochdale Borough Council. He made the request as he called on the Council to continue to fund the patrols. The Labour Council are currently consulting on forcing schools to pay for the patrols.

Councillor Kelly said: "Crossing patrols protect all residents, not just school children. The Council are attempting to abdicate any responsibility by claiming these patrols are just for school children. This is simply untrue: community crossing patrols benefit all local people and it shouldn't be the responsibility of hard up schools to pay for them. If this goes through it will amount to a £300,000 education cut in the Borough. It is simply irresponsible politics and yet another example of this Labour Council making the wrong choices."

He continued: "I'd like to make a proposal that we rename the service "Community Crossing Patrols" to reflect the fact that they keep our young people and residents safer. Labour should throw out this idea to force schools to pay and commit to continuing providing a service that so many people rely on.

"How do we pay for this you ask? What about getting rid of trade union officials who remain untouchable at this Council? Are they more important than the safety of our young people? Their jobs seem to be the safest on this Council."

After the meeting, Councillor Kelly said: "My proposal received the support of Councillors across the chamber. I think the Labour Council thought they could push this through without any protest. They certainly underestimated teachers, governors and parents. Changing the name of this vital service will safeguard its future. It will mean that the Council will have to continuing coughing up money which, in the scheme of things, is small change compared to the many vanity projects this Council waste money on."

The Labour Council refused to commit to continue paying for this service at the meeting. They claimed that schools have a surplus that they can use to pay for this, something governors and headteachers vehemently dispute.