Aberdeenshire Council's proposals to axe vital services are criticised as budget decision looms
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin has criticised Aberdeenshire Council’s plans to axe vital services – including school patrollers – in the north-east.
It comes ahead of the local authority’s budget being debated tomorrow (Thursday) by the Conservative-led administration and opposition councillors.
The budget papers reveal council plans to save £436,000 with the removal of school crossing patrols, claiming it is a “non-statutory service” which remains the responsibility of parents and carers.
The detail in the report recommends the removal of current vacancies, consulting affected employees in line with HR policies and speaking with schools and parents about “community-led solutions”.
The papers also show the £45,000 which the council claims could be saved by removing out-of-hours childcare in Aberdeenshire despite an outcry from parents as well as energy industry bosses about the impact on staffing as a result.
More than £100,000 will also be spent on the removal of the Riding for the Disabled service as well as reduced continued professional development and capacity building alongside the service.
The administration also plans to remove some of its educational psychology service staffing to save £41,000.
Ms Martin said: “Parents and carers are once again feeling the impact of cuts to vital services and support for their families.
"Not content with removing vital out-of-school care, the council now want to get rid of school patrollers who do vital work in our community.
“Particularly on rural roads, their service is invaluable. In addition to this, they want to axe vital services including Riding for the Disabled as well as removing the role of an educational psychologist.
“Demands for services are more important than ever and yet this Tory-led administration has no qualms about reducing some of the services our children benefit from most.”
