Last night was Full Council, where all 66 councillors across Wirral meet and debate issues.  I presented a petition of nearly 3,000 signatures of residents in Wallasey who want to overturn the decision to axe 18 lollipop (which includes six in Wallasey) to save £50,000.

At the beginning of the meeting members of the public are allowed to ask questions.  There was a question from a Governor of Liscard Primary who asked; ‘What is the cost of a child’s life’?  The Cabinet member responsible for Streetscene, Cllr Jean Quinn replied that a ‘child’s life is priceless’ – I wouldn’t argue with her there.  However, she then went on to justify cutting 18 lollipop ladies and the savings involved.

Last night was also the only opportunity we have to question the Labour Group, led by Steve Foulkes, about the plans to close our swimming pools, libraries and community centres.

Labour and Liberal Democrats also tried to stifle the debate and insisted on ending the meeting at 9pm.  We opposed this.  However, using their usual tactics they combined their strength to out-vote our attempts to save our services.  So although the debate on School Crossing Patrols was only item 3 on the agenda there wasn’t time to debate this issue.

Conservatives voted to maintain the current number of school crossing patrols for the safety of our primary school children.  Labour and Liberal Democrats voted against.

I put forward for debate the following Notice of Motion:

  1. This Council recognises and applauds the invaluable work carried out by School Crossing Patrols and which they continue to do, to keep our primary school children safe from accidents and death when crossing the road outside schools.
  2. This Council recognises that the criteria for deciding whether to provide a school crossing patrol is advisory only.
  3. This Council recognises that if 18 school crossing patrols are removed, 23 schools will be affected and road safety around them will worsen.
  4. Council is disappointed with the lack of consultation with schools over the removal of school crossing patrols.
  5. Council believes school budgets should be spent on services within school and not used to subsidise council responsibilities.
  6. That Council therefore, recognises the need for the current number of school crossing patrols to be maintained for the safety of our primary school children.
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