SLC LABOUR THROW OUR CHILDREN UNDER THE BUS

At the recent Executive Committee Meeting on Wednesday 7th August. A motion proposed by the council leader himself, Joe Fagan, won a vote which saw the distance for free school transport change from 2 miles to 3 miles.

This was backed by the Liberal Democrats and the Provost.

They did not take any of the consultations into account. It now seems that this group like to have consultations just so they can ignore them.

The SLC SNP Group tabled a motion to halt these changes and keep the distance at it’s 2 mile level. I’m glad to see the Tory councillors backing this amendment. However, I was disappointed but not surprised with the one abstention from the Green Party.

Make no mistake here, this decision was not about the kids, not about their safety, not even about money. It was political in nature and the leader of the council should be ashamed of himself. Once more he uses his remarks on the proposal as a political soapbox without any chance of rebuttal from other councillors.

Labour continue to show their true colours. Their slogan for the GE was Change.

We’ve got change, but certainly not for the better.

MONDAY 24TH NOVEMBER

Alongside Mairi McAllan, MSP for Clydesdale, I attended an organised walk of the “safe route” from Sandford to Strathaven Academy. This was organised by the Sandford First campaign group. The group also invited officers from the councils Education Department who continually state this road is safe for children as young as 11 to walk to school.

I have dealt with this campaign in some form since my election in May 2022. At that time, I pushed the council to deem this route as unsafe. To date, they have refused to do so and continue to quote the West of Scotland Road Safety Guidance.

At the Full Council Meeting of 1st October, my SNP group tabled a motion to instruct the council to take responsibility for assessing routes. This was voted against by ALL Labour Councillors, including support from the Provost.

I was pleased to see that a reported from Clyde 1 was also in attendance at this walk and that this was then reported on the station. This is an effective way to increase awareness of the very important issue facing children from Sandford.

I will continue working with the Sandford First group in trying to get this route deemed unsafe.

No child should face a dangerous walk just for an education and this Labour ruled council should hang their heads in shame