Councils slash lollipop vacancies

Recruitment drives by councils to encourage the return of the lollipop lady or man to school crossings have been hailed a `triumph' by the Local Government Association.

Vacancy levels in Norfolk, Sandwell, Thurrock, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire now stand at less than 5% - and Stockport, Essex, Luton and Peterborough councils are also reporting staffing levels of 84% or more.

Cllr Les Lawrence, chair of the Local Government Association's Children and Young People Board said: "The fact that so many positions are now filled is fantastic. Parents expect their child's school to have one and councils are doing all they can to encourage local people to this worthwhile profession."

Councils have employed a number of initiatives to reduce vacancies. For example, Thurrock Council has just one outstanding vacancy out of 21 after a successful leaflet campaign. Sandwell Council has just four vacancies out of 99 after increasing the retirement age from 65 to 75. And Stockport Council has reduced the number of vacancies from 29 out of 102 to just 10 in three months after publishing a 'wall of shame' with pictures of the number of lollipops not being used.

This topic was covered comprehensively in an article that appeared in the Daily Telegraph on 28 August. Click here to read the full article.

Alternatively, for further information contact Lynne Morris, LGA media officer, on 0207 664 3333

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