TORY COUNCIL BUDGET RISKS OUR KIDS' LIVES

Nothing more clearly exemplifies the pettiness and cynicism of the Tories on Peterborough City Council than their plan to sack all our crossing patrols (‘lollipop ladies’ to most of us) in order to save £40,000, at the same time as setting aside £30,000 to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and £93,000 for welcoming the Olympic torch to the city. As important as these events may be to some people, they surely pale into insignificance for all of us when compared with the safety of our children.

Over many years, concerns have been raised about the risk to children from heavy traffic near many of the city’s schools, a problem exacerbated by some busy parents choosing to drive their children over otherwise quite walkable distances. In addition, the lack of exercise resulting from being driven everywhere has been found to play a part in the rise of childhood obesity. The plan to sack the lollipop ladies will likely worsen both of these problems, as parents fearful of leaving their children to cross busy roads return to driving them to school.

And, as if to add insult to injury, the Tories also plan to stop paying for speed cameras.

But, hey, so what if our children get fat and suffer a lifetime of chronic obesity resulting in an early death from coronary disease; or if they fall victim to one of the growing numbers of cars clogging the streets outside schools; of they are run down by a speeding motorist? After all, the City Council needs money to pay for jamborees aimed at creating the illusion that all is well in Peterborough.

Perhaps the Tories assume that the growing number of unemployed will have time on their hands and take on the responsibility for seeing children safely across busy roads and into school. There certainly will be eleven suitably experienced people amongst the ranks of the unemployed – because Peterborough City Council will have sacked them from their jobs as lollipop ladies.

Of course, the Tories will protest that they do care about our children and point to the fact that they are putting over £1m into children’s services. Do we really need to remind them that they are only doing that because of the scandalous situation they have presided over for years, and which has led to real tangible harm coming to some children and young people supposedly under the care of the City Council?

This is all shameful, and something which we should no longer tolerate. Trades unions like UNITE and UNISON must work together to protect the jobs of all council workers and safeguard the lives of our children.

Thankfully, in May, we will have the opportunity to vote out Tory councillors and replace them with people who really do care.

FOR A SOCIALIST CITY COUNCIL!