Guards on school run
Published 11 Feb 2012 05:00
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CASH-strapped West Dunbartonshire Council is forking out for a private security firm to collect kids' school dinner money.
We can reveal that the move will see guards from G4S - who normally ferry prisoners and patrol Government buildings - on duty at every primary and secondary school in Clydebank, Dumbarton and the Vale.
Each school run will cost the council £17 - and with 39 schools across West Dunbartonshire, the bill could run into thousands.
Last night one furious school worker slammed the plan. She said: "We definitely believe this is unnecessary."
School staff are outraged over plans for security guards to take over cash-carrying duties from janitors.
West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) confirmed on Monday that its contract with G4S security will be rolled out across Clydebank this month.
G4S provides guarding services at various airports and facilities belonging to the UK, US, and European Governments.
It also ferries prisoners to court across Scotland, provides electronic security systems as well as providing cash management and logistics services for banks.
The move follows the closure of the Clydesdale Bank in Mitchell Way, Alexandria.
One school worker said: "Security has never been a problem, it's not as if they take the money up at the same time everyday and that somebody would work out what's happening.
"I've never known any janitors to be attacked over the money - if they had it would have been stopped straight away.
"We've already asked them how much is this going to cost as we have no money and why this is getting taken on.
"They'll say it's for safety reasons but for 20 to 30 years janitors have been taking the money up and the big high schools have been taking it in taxis.
"Because the union are in consultation with the management, the management have told us they are proposing to enter into a deal with a security firm to take the money from schools.
"The council are saying we don't believe janitors should be out and that head teachers shouldn't be using them for their own purpose.
"They are hoping to get this done as soon as possible.
"I'd have thought they'd want to get it done this week."
G4S cash officers are regularly decked out in stab-proof vests, helmets and visors as they travel around in armoured vans. They will transport the cash from schools to a bank.
A WDC spokeswoman said: "The council already has a contract with Securicor for the uplift of cash from its [new] schools. Following the recent closure of a branch of the Clydesdale Bank, the refusal of RBS to handle cash for accounts in other banks and imminent changes to the terms and conditions of school janitors, it has been decided that the contract with Securicor will be extended to all schools in West Dunbartonshire."
This article appeared in Clydebank Post 08 Feb 12
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