Union protesters were escorted out a of council meeting by security after complaints that councillors had ignored concerns from residents about the roadside safety of children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The row erupted at the final Planning and Highways Committee meeting. The meeting was adjourned when members of community union group ACORN stood up in the public gallery and accused Councillor Basil Curley of mishandling residents’ concerns over roadside safety measures outside a local primary school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reading aloud from a pre-written statement, protesters alleged Councillor Curley had failed to act on parents’ concerns regarding the lack of safe crossing facilities outside Charlestown Community Primary School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They claimed this was despite reassurances he had given at a meeting with ACORN members in December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The protestors stated: \u201dIs this not your job? Is this not what we pay council tax for? Is this not what our hard earned money is spent on?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The councillor, who was one of only three committee members to remain in the chamber throughout the demonstration, refuted the group’s allegations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Security escorted the group of four out of the town hall following the reading aloud of their statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Committee chair, Councillor Jon-Connor Lyons, recommenced proceedings following the group’s removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to The Northern Quota, Councillor Curley said that, while he would do everything in his power to ensure ACORN’s concerns were addressed, the sheer scale of the council as a body did not allow for the immediate action they were requesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201dI\u2019m batting for them but, the idea that they can get a resolution in a few weeks – I’m afraid nothing works like that,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The councillor said that he empathised with the safety concerns of parents and that since the December meeting, had made contact with officers to discuss installing speed cameras on the roadside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: “The point of entry to the school is on the corner of Booth Hall Road and Pilkington [Road], so it’s sort of unique. If you wanted to speed there, you couldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Discussing the possibility of implementing safe-crossing facilities, Councillor Curley suggested it was the school itself, rather than the council. which was responsible for ensuring pupils were safe when entering or leaving premises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: \u201dThe school have got a budget, and should have a budget, for school crossing patrols. That’s their responsibility and they need to be doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Talking to The Northern Quota outside the town hall complex, Louisa Olympios, a member of ACORN and one of the four protesters present at the meeting, said: “We came here today to put forward what it is we want to see happen, give him (Councillor Curley) an opportunity to meet with the parents, and remind him that his constituents are waiting for something to happen.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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