A LOLLIPOP man who was axed from his patrol in October has volunteered to take the position for nothing - only to be turned down by school governors.
Stan Cusworth, 72, was axed as the crossing patrol officer for the Ellis School, Hemingfield in October by Barnsley Council which deemed the road 'low risk'.
Jonathan Wainwright, chairman of the Parents, Teachers and Friends' Association at the school, was one of the parents who originally led the campaign against Stan's removal.
Jonathan said he feels the school turned down Stan's offer to do the job on a voluntary basis after red tape and complications thrown up by Barnsley Council.
But a Barnsley Council spokesman said yesterday they had not received any requests from anyone to work at the site on a volunteer basis.
A letter sent to parents last week explained that current cabinet policy will only support a crossing patrol where the road meets the necessary criteria.
It stated: "There are additional complexities regarding the legal powers to stop traffic, which under current statute does not permit for a voluntary role.
"Currently relief employees are employed, trained and insured by the council and this presents some additional concerns."
It also cites the "uncertainty that would be generated for parents through the use of a voluntary role", which could potentially result in inconsistent provision on an ad hoc basis.
Parents collected hundreds of signatures when it was originally announced that Stan would no longer be working as a lollipop man.
In the letter, the governors and school thank Stan for his 'very generous offer'. Stan stepped down as the school's temporary patrol officer during half term, and the school has been without a crossing patrol since November 3.
** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated December 24. **
