Derbyshire's Conservative-run County Council is to scrap plans originally put forward by the previous Labour administration to cut £300k from school crossing patrols.

The proposal had originally featured as a saving target identified for 2018-19 in Five Year Financial Plan which was approved by the then Labour Cabinet on 24th January 2017, a few months before they sensationally lost power to the Conservatives.

Having considered the proposal, the Conservative administration is now to receive a Cabinet report next Thursday which will scrap the proposal and remove it from the Council’s planned savings targets.

Commenting, the Cabinet Member for Highways and Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Simon Spencer said: “Labour have a terrible history when it comes to school crossing patrols in Derbyshire. In 2015, when they were last in power at County Hall, they cut nearly 40 patrols despite huge opposition from local campaigners and Conservative Councillors, including petition signatures from over 16,000 concerned residents.

“Then in February last year, they announced their plans to cut a further £300k from the budget, which could have decimated the service. Fortunately for the residents of Derbyshire, they lost power just a few months later.

“Having considered the proposals in detail and discussed them with schools and parish councils, we’ve decided to scrap the plans in their entirety. Residents can rest assured that school crossing patrols are here to stay!”

The Leader of Derbyshire County Council, Cllr Barry Lewis added: “Perhaps what’s most disappointing is the blatant bandwagon-jumping that Labour MPs and Councillors have been doing on this issue. We really shouldn’t have to remind them that this was their proposal in the first place!”