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Labour leaves County Council Fair Deal Alliance
24/09/2023
Liberal Democrat and Green councillors intend to form a new administration
The coalition which has run Oxfordshire County Council for the last two years has collapsed. Labour has this afternoon (Sunday) announced that it has quit the Fair Deal Alliance it joined with the Liberal Democrat and Green Councillors to take control of affairs in the county.
The decision follows a damning report by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission, which highlighted “widespread systemic failings” in the County Council’s provision for SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) children.
A statement by Labour said the situation needed coalition members to “work as a team and take collective responsibility” for the problem but said the Liberal Democrats “aren’t interested in working together and instead simply want to score points and pass blame”.
Labour Councillor Liz Brighouse had been the Cabinet member for Children’s Services. Following the publication of the report the Liberal Democrats say Council Leader Liz Leffman asked Councillor Brighouse to resign her position, but she refused to do so.
The statement from Labour said: “Labour came into this coalition two years ago in good faith. The Conservative-led administration had let our residents down and we recognised that there would be issues that we would need to work through together as a coalition.
“We have felt for some time that the Liberal Democrats do not appreciate the scale of the challenges facing our Council at a time of national difficulty. At present, we face significant problems concerning SEND in Oxfordshire that require us to work as a team and take collective responsibility as a Council and a wider system. We’re proud to have secured extra funding for SEND and fought to save transport services for SEND families when they were under threat. We recognise there is still more to do. Unfortunately, the Liberal Democrats have shown that they aren’t interested in working together and instead simply want to score points and pass blame.
“We therefore have no option but to leave the coalition. We’ll continue to support and fight for Oxfordshire residents from opposition.”
Following the news Liberal Democrat and Green councillors said that improving services for children with special needs must come before political advantage. They now intend to form a new administration.
Councillor Liz Leffman said: “We are sorry. Too many children and families have not had the support they deserve. We are committed to improving the experience of children and families in Oxfordshire.
“Ofsted’s judgement of our performance is clear, concise and pointed to areas where we need to improve performance. Although this is challenging within the current funding formula from the government at Westminster, other councils have demonstrated what can be achieved.
“I am therefore deeply disappointed that Labour have decided to leave the Fair Deal Alliance rather than make the changes in leadership that are needed to improve these vital services.
“I will be taking immediate action to ensure that strong and effective leadership is put in place to improve the County Council’s support for children with Special Educational Needs and to rebuild confidence with parents.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam