Fife Council has launched plans for a massive reduction in its number of lollipop men and women.
The proposal will be discussed by elected members on Thursday and if accepted the school crossing patrol officer’s job description will be replaced by a general assistant title. It is envisaged that the new role will be “more flexible and adaptable.”
A council statement says, “The school crossing role is very limited in its scope of duties. The role of general assistant would be much more flexible and adaptable to school needs and would increase the level of support available to schools and nurseries throughout Fife.”
The blueprint has been drawn up following last year’s pilot project which saw janitors, caretakers, cleaners and general assistants covering vacant crossing points throughout the region.
The statement adds, “This pilot scheme proved to be successful, with 21 crossing points that were formerly staffed by a school crossing patrol officer now being covered with these existing staff permanently.
“The consultation exercise being proposed is to extend the pilot scheme to cover an additional 75 crossing points, incorporating the crossing duties at these points within the remit of existing janitors, caretaker/cleaners and general assistants.”
It is envisaged that the “re-configuration” of school crossing posts will “release funds” and allow for an additional 10 general assistant posts.
Working 15 hours a week, these employees – three in north-east Fife, four in central and three in the west – would “support” local schools and provide emergency relief cover at crossings.
Despite the sweeping changes, Mr McKinstry is keen to stress that crossing points will be retained.
“It is important to remember this process is about reorganising the personnel, not the school crossings,” he said.
“There are 183 crossing points within Fife. The proposals being consulted on retain each of the 183 crossing points and create a further 10 posts for emergency cover and additional support to schools.”
A radical blueprint drawn up by the under-pressure authority advocates the complete abolition of the “school crossing patrol officer” job title. Instead, janitors and caretakers will be asked to undertake patrol duties in a wider “general assistant” role.
Council chiefs insist the proposals will be “more efficient” and also stress that all existing crossing points would continue to be manned. It is understood that 162 lollipop men and women are working in the region.
If the new proposals are passed at Thursday’s budget meeting they will be asked if they wish to apply for one of 87 posts, which could include additional hours and duties.
Of the local authority’s 183 staffed crossing points, 21 are tended to by existing school staff such as cleaners, caretakers and janitors.
Fife Council intends to roll out the scheme in a further 75 locations leaving the 87 posts available.
The Courier understands that lollipop men and women were made aware of the situation during a series of meetings on Tuesday. If the proposals are approved they will be asked if they wish to apply for the more demanding role of “general assistant.”
Education resources manager James McKinstry admitted budget pressures had played their part but insisted the new plan would address modern “operational requirements.”
“Manned school crossings points help provide safer routes to educational establishments for our school children and we believe this is a vital service,” he said. “It is our intention to keep all of those staffed crossing points.
“However, the education service is consulting on a more efficient method of delivering and securing the school crossing service in the longer term.”
Mr McKinstry said the proposals also address the thorny issue of recruitment which has, in the past, left several crossing unmanned for long periods.
“School crossing patrol officers work a range of hours, from five hours per week to 20 hours per week,” he said. “The hours allocated to each crossing point are historical and no longer match operational requirements.
“At a time when the council is facing massive budget challenges we must be rigorous in ensuring our services are running as efficiently as possible.”
He added, “Recruitment for school crossing patrol officers has been a major problem for a number of years and it has become increasingly difficult to attract people to the role… and at present there is also no emergency sickness cover.”