Carse of Gowrie parents searching for answer to after-school club woes
Parents in the Carse of Gowrie are facing a "race against time" to save their after-school club service.
- Published in the Courier : 23.03.11
- Published online : 23.03.11 @ 02.04pm
Over 80 people have already signed up to a Facebook campaign against Perth and Kinross Council's decision to scrap the service at Longforgan and Errol primaries at the end of the session.
The cash-strapped local authority said poor attendance at some of the clubs did not justify a subsidy from the education department.
However, it is a bitter blow for many full-time working parents in the area who depend on after-school childcare to earn a living.
Mother-of-two Fiona Wilson, from Errol, is an active member of the 'Save Errol After School Club' Facebook group and said she had been "heartened" by the show of support.
"It's not just parents who are directly affected that are getting behind us, but members of the community who may need to use it in the future and others who understand the need for it," she said.
The civil servant, whose children attend Errol Primary School, has been liaising with Longforgan parents about the possibility of combining the clubs to ensure their survival.
"Amalgamating the two due for closure is one of a number of options we are considering, as well as keeping them both open at their respective sites but under one umbrella.
"A third option is to see if we can get a company or individual in and run it as a private enterprise, funded by income generated through fees and perhaps with backing from the lottery fund or Awards for All.
"Unfortunately it is a race against time and a steep learning curve for most of us who have little or no experience of setting something like this up."
A spokeswoman for the council said, "The council would wish to confirm its commitment to work with parents and communities in efforts to identify suitable alternative childcare with effect from July 1.
"Early support has already been given to members of the community in the Errol area who have put forward ideas and proposals for alternative provision.
"We will be meeting with parents and carers in Errol again shortly, on Monday, and we hope that further discussion will lead to progress on the outline proposals for these alternatives."
04.41pm - 23.03.2011 SNelson - Perth, UK Report This
Normal working people, like my wife and myself, must contend with this issue as a matter of course. The answer is to forego luxuries in order to PAY for child-care. I am actually dismayed to learn that my taxes have been spent on this at all and consider it manifestly unfair.
06.09pm - 24.03.2011 Working Mum - Longforgan, Scotland Report This
I am a parent who is affected by the kids club closing. We do PAY for the after school clubs. The council could have addressed the subsidies but chose not to increase the fees or consult with parents. I too am a tax payer so blame the COUCIL NOT parents.
09.30am - 25.03.2011 SNelson - Perth, UK Report This
Why must there be "blame"? Balances need to be made to public finance. You can apply for child care vouchers through your employer before the 6th of April and you will benefit of a rebate on £243 at whatever your income tax level is. After April 6th the benefit will be reduced significantly
11.38am - 25.03.2011 Working Mum - Longforgan, Scotland Report This
SNelson, no tax payers would have had to subsidise the service had the costs been passed onto the parents and some proper management and promotion at the time by the council. Your comments suggest you think parents are unwilling to pay more, no one was asked so why the barbed "PAY" comment?
12.22am - 26.03.2011 Gill - Burrelton, Scotland Report This
Our 26 year old Playgroup faces closure too. Council says we have till July, that's little more than a term. We run at a loss they say, Why dont they up the fee's then. They have put so much Red tape in the way now its a full time job dealing with the bureaucracy.
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