A CLAIM that a council is failing to put children’s needs first, comparing it to the Rotherham scandal, was thrown out by councillors having been 'riddled with inaccuracies’.
The motion was put forward by the Conservative group on Slough Borough Council at a full council meeting on Tuesday to take a 'more strategic approach to protecting looked-after children’ and for more 'frequent engagement by the council’ with ethnic minority communities in Slough about Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).
Labour councillors pointed out the motion concentrated on sexually-exploited children, rather than the broader spectrum of vulnerable children or those in care and it also incorrectly named the Slough Children’s Services Trust – the new external trust set to take over the council’s Children’s Services department – as the Children’s Services Organisation.
There were also inaccuracies surrounding the role of the council now that the external body is set to take over responsibilities.
While presenting the motion at the meeting held at The Centre, in Farnham Road, Cllr Frank Abe pointed out failings in Rotherham’s children’s service.
He said: “Slough council is in denial. We have to learn lessons from Rotherham.”
Fellow Conservative Cllr Dexter Smith added: “We can’t let another Rotherham happen in Slough.”
Amid strong criticisms from Labour councillors about this comparison, Cllr Mohammed Sharif said: “I’m disappointed with the linking of Rotherham to Slough.
“It has nothing to do with Rotherham.”
A heavily-amended motion suggested by Labour councillors, cutting the criticisms by the Conservative group, was subsequently passed by councillors in a vote.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article