A Local MSP has hailed the power of local people after parents forced the council to scrap controversial plans to slash school transport provision.
The proposed changes would have changed the free school travel entitlement for primary school pupils from a catchment area of two miles to a catchment area of one mile. Secondary school provision is currently provided to pupils within a three mile radius, and the proposals suggested lowering this to a two mile radius.
Graham Simpson also praised the Conservative Group in North Lanarkshire who declared publicly that it was against the changes to school transport provision as soon as the consultation was announced by the minority Labour administration.
The MSP said “Whilst there is always a need to balance the books for councils, this was a step too far. The Conservatives - and the SNP - knew from the outset that this was a flawed and very unpopular idea.
“Sadly Fulton MacGregor seems to have forgotten who is to blame for this shambles. He submitted a motion at the Holyrood last week claiming that it was the SNP councillors and parliamentarians that effectively managed to scrap this proposal.
“That was not the case. The Conservative group clearly stated its opposition to this before the festive season.
“Fulton went on to say that it was the Labour and Conservative administration that was forcing through this change to the school transport. A cheap shot that I have corrected with an amendment to his original motion by stating the facts again that the Conservative group declared publicly they were against this proposal before Christmas.
“The reality is, over 1500 parents, grandparents and carers inundated the authority with submissions in response to a consultation on proposals to cut links. Add that to the 8600 signatures on an online petition opposing the plans, it shows anger within North Lanarkshire to this proposal.
“Over the course of the recent public meetings, the residents made their views crystal clear on this matter. Education Convener Frank McNally and his minority Labour group had no option but to perform a u-turn and scrap the plans on the back of the pressure and views from the people that they represent.
“There can’t have been a councillor who wasn’t contacted by concerned parents over this. Thankfully common sense and people power has prevailed.”
Group leader Cllr Meghan Gallacher and the Scottish Conservatives voted against the primary school consultation, and in order to establish safe walking routes for secondary schools, they voted in favour of changes to the secondary school provision.
During the 12-week consultation period, parents expressed concerns that the changes would put pupils’ safety in jeopardy. A view backed by both the Conservatives and the SNP.
Cllr Gallagher said: “"I was astounded when I saw the motion submitted by Fulton McGregor. I expected better from a former North Lanarkshire Councillor.
"My group listened to parents, guardians and those affected by the proposed changes at public meetings and could not consciously vote in favour of these proposals.
"I am pleased that Labour released a statement advising that they would not be pursuing the proposed changes, and that the consultation has now ended.
"This is a win for parents, guardians and those who campaigned tirelessly on this issue.”