Liberal Democrats slam 8 month lollipop warden recruitment freeze

Liberal Democrats have accused Liverpool City Council of putting children at risk by leaving school crossing patrol vacancies across the city empty to save money.

Since January, Allerton councillor Andrew Makinson has been pressing Liverpool City Council to open the vacant posts for recruitment.

“Around Booker Avenue Primary School, two crossing patrols have been missing since the Autumn, leaving parents and children struggling to cross busy roads. The problem is the same at many schools throughout Liverpool,” said Andrew Makinson.  

“Many parents contacted me at the start of the year asking why their lollipop wardens were missing. We know it can be a struggle to recruit people for these part-time jobs, so I contacted the council offering to help to advertise the jobs in the local community, only to be told that recruitment had been closed.” 

In January, Liverpool City Council was heading for a projected £40 million overspend on their budget. The ruling Labour cabinet requested that departments manage overtime and recruitment to help bring costs under control. 

“Liverpool City Council may insist that there was no formal recruitment freeze, but the result for our city’s children was the same,” said Andrew Makinson. 

“Every year, this council finds itself massively over-budget as they struggle to control costs. It is a disgrace that our city’s children are put at risk by this Labour council’s financial mismanagement.”

Liverpool City Council is now promising to advertise these vacancies within the next few weeks, but it is unlikely that anyone will be in post before the new school year in September.