Errol After School Club parents confident it has enough pupils
Parents fighting to prevent the closure of an after school club insist there are enough children to keep the service viable.
- By Alan Richardson
- Published in the Courier : 03.05.11
- Published online : 03.05.11 @ 06.04pm
Kids clubs were one of the victims in the recent budget-setting process as Perth and Kinross Council tries to save millions of pounds in the public spending squeeze.
Parents involved in Errol After School Club have been particularly vociferous and are determined to sway the council before it meets next month to finalise matters.
Rachel Coleman said the situation has changed since the axe fell on Errol and projections show a post-summer intake will make it a sustainable club.
"The council are now consulting with parents affected by the forthcoming closures," she said. "However, we need to recognise that it is not just the parents with children currently at school, it is the parents who will require the support of services such as after school care in the future who will be disadvantaged by the potential closures.
Write in plea
"The council are currently compiling any correspondence from parents regarding the closure and we would encourage anyone with children to write and make their views known.
"We also believe that, in the initial decision regarding the Errol club, the ongoing housing development in Errol and Grange had not been considered, as this will clearly have an impact on numbers.
"A suggestion made at the meeting was for parents to form a ‘super committee' whereby parents from five affected areas have one committee, one lead practitioner and then two support staff in each club.
"The lead practitioner would be required to be in each club one night a week. This would reduce costs for the clubs. This raises the question as to why the council do not employ one lead practitioner for five clubs as a cost-saving exercise?
"The options detailed in a report in October 2010 provided only two options for the clubs: to continue running at a loss or to close them."
Carse solidarity
Rachel said parents are determined to keep going and urged the rest of the Carse to back the club.
"Errol parents are exploring all options for the future of its services and will be shortly circulating further information to parents with children attending the primary school.
"We ask that all parents who will be using the club in August let us know how many children will be attending, what nights, and to get their contact details.
"We are also asking any parent with children at St Maddoes and Inchture Primary who would be interested in their children attending the Errol After School Club, if there was appropriate transport organised, to let us know at carsekids@gmail.com. Our Facebook campaign, Save Errol After School Club, is still going strong."
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