Introducing a points-based system to decide where Dundee’s army of lollipop men and women should be stationed would be a “disaster”, according to a leading trade unionist.
Dundee City Council education convener Stewart Hunter became embroiled in a war of words over the controversial plans which will decide the future of the city’s crossing patrollers.
The Courier earlier reported how opposition councillors had reacted with dismay after it was revealed the administration was considering introducing a mathematical formula to decide whether or not patrollers were stationed in the correct place.
The points system could see many lollipop men and women having their posts moved, though the council is pledging to consult on any changes.
As part of the planned consultation, lunchtime crossings could also be removed.
The plan has sparked concern in some quarters, with trade union rep Jim Malone warning that introducing such a system would be a “disaster”.
In a strongly worded email to Mr Hunter, Mr Malone said: “A review was carried out last year, in January 2015, that left children and parents in Mill o’ Mains without a school patrol crossing due to the RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) formula.
“I do actually welcome changes to the make-up of the committee structure, however the community in Mill o’ Mains have been left in a position, that since the death of our school crossing patroller in April 2014, our children have been without the safety that you claim is at the forefront of your cost-cutting proposals.”
Defending the policy, Mr Hunter said: “We have more school crossing patrollers now, so if we are just about cutting the numbers then we are going about it in completely the wrong way.
“Indeed, using the formula that has been described, we have added six school crossing patrollers to areas that previously did not have one because we recognised that there was a need for a patroller there.
“That is the whole point of the paper that is coming to committee on Monday. We want to ensure that we have school crossing patrollers in all of the areas that they are needed.”
The consultation will be voted on during a meeting of the council’s education committee on Monday.