“The most basic need of our vulnerable children is to be kept safe. Sadly over the past few years this Labour administration
failed in this basic task.”  
Cllr Isobel Ballsdon.

Reading, 20 January 2009:  Reading Borough Conservatives today welcomed the resignation of Labour’s Lead Councillor for Children’s Services following appalling failures highlighted in a recent Ofsted report on Children’s Services in Reading. Throughout the period covered by the report Cllr Ruhemann has been in charge of Children’s Services and had failed to identify or address the deficiencies highlighted in the report.

Councillor Isobel Ballsdon, Conservative spokesman for Children’s Services, said “The most basic need of our vulnerable children is to be kept safe. Sadly over the past few years this Labour administration failed in this basic task.”

Cllr Ballsdon continued, “It is now time for real political leadership in Children’s Services, in the interests of the children who most need our protection. While we have seen some signs of progress in the past three months, it is too early to say that the problems have been resolved. Whoever is appointed as the new lead member, they will have to be vigilant and courageous to begin the process of bringing Reading's Children’s Services up to an acceptable level. For too long Labour has tolerated failure and for that Cllr Ruhemann has now carried the can.”

Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Andrew Cumpsty said, “It is absolutely right that Cllr Ruhemann should resign. He has been unable or unwilling to provide the leadership needed in this vital area and it is time for someone else to take the helm. If Labour cannot keep our children safe then they should make way for a Conservative administration that will.”

Cllr Cumpsty continued, “At a time when the public is overwhelmingly cynical about politicians it is important to remember that politicians are ultimately accountable to the public for their actions.”

Labour’s Lead Councillor for Children’s Services must go

Cllr Isobel Ballsdon	Cllr Andrew Cumpsty
“The staggering failures highlighted in today’s publication of Ofsted’s Joint Area Review (JAR) must surely justify the sacking of the Labour administration’s Lead Councillor for Children’s Services".	“This is a truly awful report.  Vulnerable families, parents and children should all be able to expect of their Council full and proper support...."
See also Reading Evening Post and Richard Willis's blog

Reading, 13 January 2009:  Reading Borough Conservatives today condemned the failures highlighted in a report published today assessing Children’s Services in Reading, and they called on Labour’s Lead Councillor for Children’s Services to stand down.

Ofsted’s report on Education and Children’s Services, known as a Joint Area Review (JAR), states that “Safeguarding is inadequate due to significant weaknesses in fundamental elements of child protection and children’s social care.”  The report also rated Reading’s strategy for reducing teenage pregnancies as ‘inadequate’.

Reading Conservatives believe that this highlights the wider issue of Labour’s failure, over many years, to ensure effective scrutiny of the council’s services.

Councillor Isobel Ballsdon, Conservative spokesman for Children’s Services, said “The staggering failures highlighted in today’s publication of Ofsted’s Joint Area Review (JAR) must surely justify the sacking of the Labour administration’s Lead Councillor for Children’s Services.  He has presided over this portfolio for many years and yet he has failed in the most basic need: to ensure that Reading’s vulnerable children are safe.”

Cllr Ballsdon continued, “Furthermore he has failed to communicate to Reading’s teenagers that unprotected sex will get them pregnant.  The town has the highest teenage conception rate in the South East and stands no chance of meeting the Government’s target of halving conceptions by 2010.  I will therefore be working with colleagues and other parties to move a motion of no confidence in Cllr Ruhemann at the next Council meeting on 27^th January.”

Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Andrew Cumpsty said, “This is a truly awful report.  Vulnerable families, parents and children should all be able to expect of their Council full and proper support.  This report says that Reading is ‘inadequate’ when it comes to safeguarding vulnerable children.  It is the worst assessment a Council could achieve; a totally unacceptable position for our Town!”

Cllr Cumpsty continued, “It demonstrates systemic failure in the area of protecting vulnerable children, an area which the Council should be giving its highest priority.  I want to see new and effective political leadership in this area, an area that a Conservative administration would give its highest priority.  The current political leadership in Children’s Services has clearly failed and I, along with the residents of Reading, would expect an immediate change.”

Home | Up | Local News Clips | Search results | Local Police update | Events | We will fix it! | Local Issues | Election 2008 | Photo Gallery | Tell us! | Links