Agenda item

The Committee had before it a report by the Chief Operating Officer which provided the annual 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 –

(a)      note the outcome of the 2021 annual review for transport and safe routes to school for Lochside Academy;

(b)      note that a Service Update will be submitted on 23 September 2021, providing detail on the newly contracted services for the 2021/22 Academic Year; and

(c)      agree that no further annual update reports are required to be submitted.

The Convener, seconded by the Vice Convener, moved the recommendations as contained in the report.

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

That Committee:-

(a)      notes 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;

(b)      refers the matter to the Operational Delivery Committee, with the recommendation that they instruct the Chief Officer - Operations and Protective Services to investigate potential measures that could prevent pedestrians crossing Wellington Road between these two junctions, and report to City Growth and Resources Committee with costed proposals and funding options;

(c)      notes the impact of the pandemic and the unforeseen disruption caused in 2020 as a result of the pandemic;

(d)      instructs the Chief Officer – Operations and Protective Services to undertake a further annual update next year on Lochside Academy transport and safe routes to school and report back to committee; and

(e)      notes that the Lochside Parent Voice have expressed concerns regarding the pick up and drop off arrangements for parents at the school, whereby unnecessary vehicle movements have taken place within the school grounds during drop off and pick up times and that this is a common problem across the City school estate, and instructs the Chief Officer - Education to consult with parents, carers, school staff and other interested parties to ascertain where there may be issues in the school estate as a result of additional vehicles during drop off and pick up times, and in conjunction with the Chief Officer - Operations and Protective Services, report back to committee in two cycles on the findings with proposals for any measures which could be implemented to address these problems.

On a division, there voted:- for the motion (8) – the Convener; the Vice Convener; the Lord Provost; Councillors Boulton, Lesley Dunbar, Mason and Macdonald; and Mr Sansom; for the amendment (8) – Councillors Alphonse, Cameron, Greig, Hutchison, Mennie and Radley; and Mr Murray and Miss Scott; absent from the division (3) – Mrs Bruce, Reverend Dicks and Mr Paul.

There being an equality of votes, in terms of Standing Order 32.7 the Convener used his casting vote in favour of the motion.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the motion and thereby approve the recommendations as set out in the report.