SCHOOL lollipop crossing patrols in Helensburgh and Lomond and beyond could be scrapped under new proposals to cut spending at Argyll and Bute Council.

A dozen full-time equivalent jobs could be lost in the crossing patrol service alone if a 'policy option' for savings, put forward to the authority's policy and resources committee this week, is approved in the new year.

Another 'policy option', if approved, would see the council's road safety unit scrapped altogether.

Altogether more than 50 roles are at risk in proposals set out to the policy and resources committee on Thursday.

But even though they are only proposals at this stage, the idea of getting rid of school crossing patrols in particular has met an angry response – and a warning that children's safety will be put at risk.

Rhona Black, chair of the parent council at Hermitage Primary School in Helensburgh, said: “The school patrol manning the streets around Hermitage Primary are a valuable part of our community.

“Their diligent, alert and cheerful help allows many parents and pupils to be confident in their safety as they cross Sinclair Street and Grant Street.

“Sinclair Street in particular is a very busy junction, with no traffic lights at the intersection of Argyle Street on either side of the crossroads.

“A high percentage of older children walk to school alone, and crossing this road would become dangerous; not to speak of the stream of small children and families, often with buggies or bicycles attempting to cross before and after school each day.

“Helensburgh is blessed with beautiful lanes and roads, as well as ample opportunity for children to appreciate the benefits of walking along to school and home again in the afternoon.

“Many children build relationships of trust with the school patrol, recognising them and trusting them to have their safety uppermost.

“Our hope would be that the council would take this into serious consideration when establishing their priorities.”

Effie Walker, a long-serving former lollipop lady, was also dismayed by the possibility of scrapping the service.

Effie helped Colgrain Primary pupils cross the road safely for 43 years, and was given a British Empire Medal in 2017 in recognition of her service.

She said: “It is all very well them sitting in an office saying they are doing this or that, but they should be watching the roads, especially Sinclair Street.

“That area is atrocious, and so is under the arch, where I stood.

“The patrollers stand out in all weathers, but I loved the job and wish I was still doing it.

“I can’t see why the council would want to do away with them.”

The removals of both services are listed among the options for the council’s budget setting for 2019-2022, which is due to be finalised in February.

It is estimated that removing those two services would save the council more than £700,000.

The document, by head of strategic finance Kirsty Flanagan, also states that the funding gap facing the council over the next three financial years is now expected to be more than £13 million – more than £3m of which is in 2019-20.

Ms Flanagan said in her report: “In view of future savings requirements, a transformation board was established to oversee all the council’s transformational opportunities.

“The board is chaired by the executive director of customer services [Douglas Hendry] and membership consists of a number of senior managers across the council as well as trade union representation.

“Savings options have now been identified as a result of the work led by the transformation board.

“The savings options have been classified into management/operational options where there are no policy implications and will not result in any redundancies and policy options, where there are either policy or staffing implications.

“For all options, including the management/operational savings options, it cannot be assumed that they will not have an impact on service delivery, however, the council has a duty to balance its budget.

“The savings options identified propose a reduction to the council’s staffing of 55.8 FTE [full-time equivalent] posts within 2019/20 should they all be accepted by members.”

Removing the school crossing patrol service would result in 12.5 FTE posts being axed.

Six FTE posts are potentially under threat as part of a proposed 10 per cent reduction to the grounds/environment service, along with five FTE posts in the environmental warden service.

The road safety unit also oversees the annual calendar design competition for school pupils from all over the area, which last year was won by Carmen McKell from Rosneath Primary School.