Issue - meetings

This report has been prepared at the request of Members to respond to queries raised regarding the recruitment of School Crossing Patrol Officers (SCPO’s).

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)                 That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)               That a request be made for the planned road safety reviews to be carried out within a clear timetable.

(iii)             That City Strategy EMAP be advised of the concerns raised and requested to monitor the situation as the School Crossing Patrol Service now fell within their remit.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:      To ensure that the Executive Member is informed of situation with regard to the School Crossing Patrol Service.

Members received a report that had been prepared at their request in response to queries raised regarding the recruitment of School Crossing Patrol Officers (SCPO’s).  The report included information on the number of SCPO vacant posts within the city; the measures previously taken to recruit to these vacant posts; and options for filling these vacancies in the future. Responsibility for delivering the School Crossing Patrol Service had transferred from Learning Culture and Children’s Services to City Strategy with effect from 1 January 2009 and the report set out the reasons for this decision and the benefits that this would provide to the service.

Officers were asked if action had been taken to work with schools to seek to fill some of the vacancies through providing the opportunity for one person to work in more than one post at a school to increase their working hours.  An example of this would include a midday supervisor or teaching assistant also being employed as a school crossing patrol officer.  Members were informed that this option was suggested to schools but it was sometimes not feasible because the hours were not always compatible.  Where vacancies remained unfilled recruitment was targeted at members of the local community, including the use of school or parish newsletters.

It was noted that some of the sites with vacancies were currently “under review” and were awaiting an assessment as to whether a school crossing patrol officer was required or if alternative safety measures were more appropriate.  Clarification was sought as to when the reviews would be carried out.  Officers advised that there was no specified timescale as the reviews also required detailed input from the Traffic Management Team (City Strategy), Road Safety Team (City Strategy) and North Yorkshire Police.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)                 That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)               That a request be made for the planned road safety reviews to be carried out within a clear timetable.

(iii)             That City Strategy EMAP be advised of the concerns raised and requested to monitor the situation as the School Crossing Patrol Service now fell within their remit¹.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:      To ensure that the Executive Member is informed of situation with regard to the School Crossing Patrol Service.