Dundee’s depute lord provost is urging an end to a school bus dispute.
Ian Borthwick said he is worried that the row over the axing of a service to St John’s High School is risking damage to the ”excellent” relationship between the city council and the Roman Catholic church.
The 4S bus, withdrawn by National Express on commercial grounds, took more than 40 West End pupils to and from the school.
In Thursday’s Courier, the chairwoman of the St John’s parent council and a senior diocesan representative warned that Catholic education was being undermined and called for council funds to subsidise the service (link).
However, the council said it had not provided such subsidies in more than 15 years.
Mr Borthwick said the row was ”deeply regrettable” and he believes it is time for ”cool heads and sound judgment” to prevent a further deterioration.
He has written to council chief executive David Dorward asking for ”all necessary steps to secure a meeting of all parties involved in seeking a satisfactory resolution.”
Mr Borthwick said he understood the differences of opinion, but felt it best to deal with them ”in an atmosphere of mutual respect.”
West End councillor Richard McCready also called for a meeting between the council and parents.
He said he was surprised by the council saying it did not subsidise school buses as he understood there was such a bus to St Paul’s Academy, the city’s other Catholic secondary, which cost £45,000 a year.