Agenda item

With reference to article 7 of the minute of its meeting of 16 May 2019, the Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer which provided an update on the performance of the transport services and arrangements for pupils accessing Lochside Academy and on the success of provisions in relation to the safe walking routes to Lochside Academy.

The report recommended:-

that Committee note the outcome of the 2020 annual review for transport and safe routes to school for Lochside Academy.

The Convener, seconded by Councillor Macdonald, moved:-

That the Committee:-

(a)       note the outcome of the 2020 annual review for transport and safe routes to school for Lochside Academy;

(b)       instruct the Chief Operating Officer to write to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills asking when the Scottish Government intends to implement its promise to provide free travel for those under the age of 19 in order that any implications for the future of school transport to Lochside Academy and other relevant schools can be considered; and

(c)        agree that any saving on transport provision would help significantly in bringing forward a balanced budget for 2021/22.

Councillor Cameron, seconded by Councillor Mennie, moved as an amendment:-

That the Committee:-

(a)       note the outcome of the 2020 annual review for transport and safe routes to school for Lochside Academy;

(b)       note the Scottish Government intends to implement its promise after April 2021 following its delay due to the CoVID pandemic, to provide free travel for those under the age of 19 in order that any implications for the future of school transport to Lochside Academy and other relevant schools can be considered;

(c)        agree that any saving on transport provision would help significantly in bringing forward a balanced budget for 2021/22;

(d)       note that significant numbers of children attending Lochside Academy continue to cross Wellington Road outwith the safe crossing points by climbing over the vehicle guard rail separating the north and southbound carriageways between the Souterhead Roundabout and the junction with Charleston Road North;

(e)       refer the matter to the Operational Delivery Committee, with the recommendation that they instruct the Chief Officer - Operations and Protective Services to design protective measures to prevent pedestrians crossing Wellington Road between these two junctions, and report to City Growth and Resources Committee with costed proposals for approval from the capital programme; and

(f)        note our disappointment that the Operational Delivery Committee on 16^th May 2019 chose not to accept a similar proposal to (d) to (e) above when it was agreed unanimously by Education Operational Delivery Committee on the same day.

Councillor Greig moved as a further amendment:-

That the Committee:-

(a)       note the outcome of the 2020 annual review for transport and safe routes to school for Lochside Academy;

(b)       instruct the Chief Operating Officer to write to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills asking when the Scottish Government intends to implement its promise to provide free travel for those under the age of 19 in order that any implications for the future of school transport to Lochside Academy and other relevant schools can be considered;

(c)        agree that any saving on transport provision would help significantly in bringing forward a balanced budget for 2021/22;

(d)       note that significant numbers of children attending Lochside Academy continue to cross Wellington Road outwith the safe crossing points by climbing over the vehicle guard rail separating the north and southbound carriageways between the Souterhead Roundabout and the junction with Charleston Road North; and

(e)       refer the matter to the Operational Delivery Committee, with the recommendation that they instruct the Chief Officer - Operations and Protective Services to design protective measures to prevent pedestrians crossing Wellington Road between these two junctions, and report to City Growth and Resources Committee with costed proposals for approval from the capital programme.

The amendment by Councillor Greig did not attract a seconder however, and therefore fell.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (7) – the Convener; and Councillors Bell, Lesley Dunbar, Grant, Imrie, Macdonald and Jennifer Stewart, the Depute Provost; for the amendment (7) – Councillors Alphonse, Cameron, Hutchison, MacGregor and Mennie; and Mr John Murray and Miss Pamela Scott; did not vote (3) – Councillor Greig; and Mrs Tracey Blackie and Mr Rick Sansom; absent from the division (2) – Reverend Shuna Dicks and Mr Mike Paul.

There being an equality of votes, the Convener exercised his casting vote in terms of Standing Order 32.7 and voted for the motion.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the motion.