Closure threat to rural schools
Humbie Primary School, East Lothian
A raft of cuts and cash generating schemes are being considered as East Lothian Council prepares to tighten its belt for its three year budget.
The closure of smaller primary schools is mooted aimed at making savings of £200,000 from non-domestic rates, janitorial cover, utilities and transport.
Also on the cards could be the removal of free school meals for all P1 to P3 pupils in schools in the Tranent, Prestonpans and Musselburgh area, saving £66,000.
Further savings of £300,000 could be made if the council’s free home to school transport limit was increased for secondary schools from two miles to the legal three miles.
Management resources could be reviewed in all schools including the ratio of principal teachers to classroom teachers to achieve efficiency targets of £390,000.
Funding for the Place2Be initiative, which gives a counselling service to pupils at in six schools in Prestonpans, Tranent and Wallyford, might cease, saving £100,000.
Charges might be imposed for public toilets, generating £20,000, and the controversial coastal car park scheme could raise £450,000.
The Civic Pride Fund for projects to enhance local areas, such as community gardens and restoration of historic monuments, could cease to save £50,000, and £40,000 spend on closed circuit television equipment cut.
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Weather for Musselburgh
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North east
