We want to hear your views and comments on our proposals for a new grant-based system to provide School Crossing Patrollers (SCPs).

The existing process

There have been 7 SCP roles available offered by MKCC which are attached to a specific school, are non-transferrable and are a term time permanent post covering between 7.5 and 10 hours per week split between morning and afternoon school opening times.

The SCPs are located on site at the location near the school where a safe crossing point has been identified by the Road Safety Officer.

4 out of the 7 posts are vacant. Previous recruitment campaigns to these vacant posts have received 1-2 applications or none at all.

Training, support and uniform is provided by the highways service through the Road Safety Officer.

If the grant-based system comes into effect, the existing SCP posts will continue to be in place, but should they become vacant for whatever reason, the schools they are linked to will then need to apply for the grant-based system for any future SCP provision.

Our proposal

To increase School Crossing Patroller provision across the borough where it is needed most, MKCC would like to implement a grant-based system to provide SCPs across MK.

For example, with an annual budget of £40k, this could provide up to 8 school crossing patrollers in locations where the highest need has been identified.

The process would run as follows:

• Local authority schools in MK may apply for a grant up to £5k per year from MKCC to cover the cost of employing a SCP at their school.
• The grant would be paid each year on 1 April for a 3-year period. Should the existing SCP leave the post for whatever reason, the school may replace them up to the remainder of the 3-year grant period.
• Applications to the fund will be checked and scored against criteria set by the Council’s Road Safety Officer to ensure that the schools with the most need are prioritised.
• The school will undertake all recruitment to the post including a DBS check which will form part of the school’s staff on a fixed-term, term time basis.
• Subject to satisfactorily passing the SCP training with the Road Safety Officer, the SCP will be permitted to operate by MKCC during set times at a specific location as per UK legislation (Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984).

The Council’s highways service will continue to provide training and uniform to any SCP operating in Milton Keynes who has been given the authority by MKCC as the Highways Authority for Milton Keynes.

Every 3 years the application window will open for all local authority schools to apply to the fund. Schools that have previously been awarded the 3-year grant will need to apply.

This grant-based system aims to provide SCPs where they are needed most and we can take into account things like new developments, installation of new pedestrian crossing points or school extensions. It also helps to create a link between the SCP and the school they serve, becoming part of the school team. 

Application scoring criteria will include:

• Size of the school
• Proximity to safe crossing point/s
• Suitable placement for an SCP e.g., road speed, visibility
• Engagement with parents/guardians on road safety
• Likelihood of using SCP to cross the road
• Engagement with the Council's Transport team on travel plans and promotion of sustainable transport for school to home journeys
• Collision data

Please submit your comments, feedback and suggestions to us by the closing date. Comments received after this date will not be considered.

Email road.safety@milton-keynes.gov.uk or you can post your comments to us at:

Highways (Road Safety),

Civic Office,

1 Saxon Gate East,

Milton Keynes,

MK9 3EJ