Purpose

Reason for the decision

 

The current policy requires
Dorset Council to follow national guidelines, which already allows Local
Authorities to interpret those guidelines as they see fit.

 

The
update is required to document a new approach, that would allow more
sustainable Highway options to be considered once a site becomes vacant to
address recruitment and retention difficulties, to make best use of limited
funds and to increase road safety for the school and wider community.

 

For
example, the installation of an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing combined with
a reduced speed could provide a more sustainable safety feature to support the
school and the wider community outside the school crossing patrol times.

 

This
update is consistent with the Executive Decision Note dated 14 February 2023
that updated Dorset Councils policy for pedestrian crossing requests.

 

Alternative Options
considered and rejected

 

No
alternatives.

 

Consultees

 

Jack
Wiltshire, Head of Highways

Kate
Tunks, Service Manager, Infrastructure and Assets

Colin
Moors, Highways Improvement Team Leader

Tony
Burden, Road Safety Manager

Rob
Camp, Schools Road Safety Officer

 

Budget Implications

 

Any removal of a school crossing patrol site will
provide on average a £6k revenue saving. 
Installing new Highway mitigating measures would require a one-off
capital expenditure.

 

Legal Implications

 

Whilst
Dorset Council adopts national guidelines for the delivery of the school
crossing patrol service, there is no legal obligation to provide school
crossing patrols.

 

Reference Documents

 

National
School Crossing Patrol guidelines revised 2016.

 

Extract from national guidelines:

 

The School Crossing Patrol (SCP) service is a non-statutory
function, and these Guidelines are not intended to be prescriptive.  They highlight issues that should be
considered and outline advantages and disadvantages of adopting particular measures to allow Managers to make their own
informed decisions suitable to their local circumstances and policies. 

 

Authorities providing the service should decide how best to apply
the Guidelines and the criteria for assessing SCP sites.

 

Dorset
Council School Crossing Patrol Policy.

 

Executive
Decision Note dated 14 February 2023 that updated Dorset Councils policy for
pedestrian crossing requests.

 

Content

Authority is
delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment to
remove a school crossing patrol site, in favour of alternative mitigating
Highway measures as proposed by an appropriate officer.