Lollipop patrol funding anger as council chief insists schools should 'share the burden'

A council chief today insisted that schools must 'share the burden' of £19 million of cuts as bosses plan to make them pay for lollipop crossing wardens.

moreSchools could be forced to pay the wages of the 82 crossing patrol workers across Walsall. And although bosses have admitted schools could end up withdrawing the patrols, they insist that the cuts are necessary.

The proposals have angered Labour opposition deputy leader Councillor Sean Coughlan, who is chairman of governors at Fibbersley Park Primary in Willenhall.

Walsall Council's transportation boss Councillor Adrian Andrew said: "This is something we are looking at to share the burden.

"We have got to negotiate with the schools and see what they will do. What we don't want to do is cut lollipop services, like other areas have done, so that is why we need to share the burden."

The crossing patrols are currently funded by Walsall Council but bosses are looking to make schools pay instead to save £85,000.

They admit problems could arise if schools decide to withdraw the service – and could lead to job losses.

It comes as the council faces making 332 staff redundant across all departments.

Councillor Coughlan said schools were concerned about whether they would be able to afford the wages.

He said: "As a chairman of governors I think Councillor Andrew's words are irresponsible. He knows the pressures that schools are under with decreasing budgets."