A COUNCILLOR is challenging Trafford Council on the legality of a controversial proposal to hand funding for crossing patrols over to schools.

Changes to how patrols are funded have been proposed as part of council’s 2017/18 budget, which is currently the subject of a public consultation.

The council announced it needs to save £22million next year and patrols becoming a traded service, with schools or community groups footing the bill for the service, is one of the cost-saving measures recommended. It would save the council £350,000 in the next financial year.

Councillor Jane Baugh has questioned if the proposed move is illegal, highlighting the Schools and Early Years Finance Regulations 2014.

She said that in this document, the government sets out the legal responsibility for schools to spend their budgets only on agreed ring-fenced matters.

Local authority's non-schools education budget or school budget must not include expenditure for the purposes of section 26 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and arrangements for patrolling school crossings.

Cllr Baugh said: “Our school patrolled crossing staff deserve better treatment than this,they have been left in limbo since the announcements were made proposing schools fund the crossing staff and many of these staff are our longest and most loyal and committed staff turning up in often horrendous weather and dealing often with very risky road conditions often dealing with irresponsible drivers .

“We know that parents are concerned by the success of the online petitions demanding the council keep our patrolled school crossings and take their responsibility seriously in protecting our children’s safety on our roads.

"Cllr Anstee, in his own words, said we will ensure that front line services will not be affected by council savings, if children’s safety is not frontline service what is.”

Cllr Baugh said she received confirmation from the council that schools’ Dedicated Schools Grant must not be used for patrols.

Councillor Laura Evans, executive member for transformation and resources, said: “Whilst we recognise restrictions on what schools are able to use certain funding for, as set out in the ‘Schools and Early Years Finance (England) Regulations 2014’, we want to explore funding options that enable us to support the retention of school crossing patrols across the borough.

“As part of this, the council is liaising directly with schools, businesses and community groups in order to find a funding resolution. Across the country, there are examples where schools have supported the retention of patrols, and Trafford Council is dedicated to working in close collaboration with head teachers to consider the options available.

“The council is committed to transparent communications with all staff, especially those directly impacted by the proposals, such as School Crossing Patrol Staff, to ensure they receive factual information rather than assumptions about what might happen, which is incredibly important to us and we are dedicated to providing detailed updates at every opportunity.

“I want to stress that the proposals outlined within the 2017-2020 budget, are proposals for consultation. As with previous budgets, the Council will endeavour to ensure our final decisions are shaped by the views of the people who are all being fully consulted at this time.

"By having their say, our Staff, Residents and Local Businesses can be confident that we will carefully consider their comments, thoughts and feelings, and where possible these will influence our final budget proposals which will be released in February 2017.

“I can confirm that Cllr Baugh has received a response to her original questions, and I am sure the Labour party in Trafford would wish to support efforts to explore every possible avenue to retain this service rather than adopt the approach taken by other Labour councils across Greater Manchester to immediately move to disbanding the service in its entirety.

“The council is aware of the continuing pressures on school budgets, and as a member of the F40 group of local authorities, is campaigning for fairer funding for our schools. Because of this, we are seeking a cohesive approach to funding the service in future, and will carefully consider all the responses before determining its next steps.

“Trafford Council is committed to fulfilling its statutory obligations to provide support for the most vulnerable children and young people in our direct care, and is recognised by Ofsted as maintaining amongst the highest performing children’s services in Greater Manchester, whilst also seeking to maintain school crossing patrols where possible in future.

"The council’s proposal for consultation is designed to seek partners to support the service and has never suggested that funding would be exclusively the responsibility of schools alone.”