9
There was submitted a report by the Chief Officer (Education - North) (1) providing a summary of the financial performance of the Education, Children and Families Service for the period from 1 April to 19 July 2024 (Period 4), and (2) illustrating the projected outturn position as at 31 March 2025, with major outturn variances highlighted and explained as per the Council's financial regulations.
During discussion on the matter, a question was asked to which officers committed to respond outwith the meeting namely:-
"In relation to the underspend, what is the breakdown of ASN and Gaelic Education?" (Councillor Loughran)
Councillor Lennon, seconded by Councillor Di Mascio, moved as an amendment:-
"This Council agrees to extend the report recommendation of home to school contractual expenditure to include:-
1. Pause the current school transport cuts until a thorough review can be conducted.
2. Initiate a comprehensive review of the safe walking routes, including input from parents, schools, and independent safety experts, to ensure that all routes are genuinely safe for children.
3. Provide clear and detailed information on the decision-making process that led to the designation of these routes as safe.
4. Schedule a full debate at the next meeting of North Lanarkshire Council to discuss these issues, with a roll call vote on the necessary mitigations the council can introduce to ensure the safety and well-being of all children affected by these transport cuts.
As this matter is costed, we will use the £187,000 to undertake a more in-depth comprehensive review of safe walking routes.
Realtis Arcadia / safe walking routes contractor has been given 3 or 4 contracts by NLC which amount to £3.4 million, we hope the irony is not lost here given the cost saving for school transport cuts."
The Convener advised that, in term of Standing Order 58, the amendment was not competent.
Decided:
(1) that the financial position of the Education, Children and Families revenue budget be noted, and
(2) that the contents of the report be otherwise noted.