Breaking news: Aberdeenshire Council to end out-of-hours school care provision from July

Aberdeenshire Council is to stop all of its out-of-hours school care provision from early July as a budget saving move.

At present just 15 of Aberdeenshire's 146 primary schools provide the service, which is used by a total of 350 children and which a report to councillors said is not currently providing equality of service for rural, very rural and areas of social deprivation despite higher populations in some towns including Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Banff where it does not operate.

The authority has blamed a fall in demand as well staffing and budget pressure as despite being set up to recoup costs it is facing an overspend of almost £700,000.

Aberdeenshire Council's education committee today considered proposals which have already seen a massive backlash for parents, especially in the Balmedie catchment area.

The recommendation to accept the report, submitted by councillor Anne Simpson and seconded by councillor Jim Gifford was approved on an 11 to six majority against councillor Jenny Nicol's amendment supported by councillor Louise McAllister to refuse on the grounds of no alternatives being in place.

Commentary from the discussion during the meeting will follow in our next update.

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