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Cllr Dale Birch said "there There’s not a single member that’s blind to this borough’s needs" in a row over cuts to children's services
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Budget cuts fail children, say Labour

By Jennie Slevin
March 12, 2013

Children across the borough are being failed by harsh budgets, claim Labour councillors.

The opposition has called for £50,000 to be set aside for careers guidance officers in schools, £150,000 for school improvement and £30,000 on extra youth workers after the 2013/14 budget proposed slashing £295,000 from youth services.

Labour party leader Councillor Mary Temperton put forward the amendment to the budget at Bracknell Forest’s full council meeting on Wednesday, February 27.

Labour Cllr Tricia Brown said: “Conservatives are cutting even more from children’s services, just like they did last year. Youth provisions and support for schools are all being cut.

“Our children will shape our future and you’re failing them.

“You’re blind and you’re wasting opportunities to improve behaviour, education and families.”

Conservative Cllr Dale Birch, executive member for adult services, health and housing, replied: “I will not be personally attacked or have any member in this chamber attacked.

“There’s not a single member that’s blind to this borough’s needs.”

He added: “I’m totally opposed to this amendment.

“Our record of careful budgeting is second to none, and a last minute amendment would do absolutely no justice to the months of planning.”

Cllr Temperton’s amendment also suggested members took a 20 per cent cut in their allowances, which the Tories disagreed with.

Cllr Gareth Barnard, executive member for children, young people and learning, also hit out at the two Labour councillors.

He said: “We will not be falling into the trap of the Labour Government. We will not be spending large amounts of money on individual projects.

“Labour’s motto has always been ‘spend, spend, spend’ but this budget is about sustainability.”

The Warfield councillor explained £79 million, which used to be given to the council to spend on schools, now come directly from central Government to schools.

He added: “Children in this borough are safe and we are not failing them.

“The work we have done towards reducing domestic violence has been effective and we’re still targeting repeat offenders who blight the lives of our children in the borough.”

The amendment was not accepted and the proposed 2013/14 budget was approved.

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Most recent user comments 12 of 12

SandyAndy Warfield:

You might like to check this link.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9921344/Councillors-for-hire-who-give-firms-planning-advice.html

Dids, Bracknell
13/03/2013 at 21:28

TVOR - a fine point, well made.

Quite how we got onto CRB checks is rather baffling. I think it's only fair to say that the main hurdle for checking foreign born residents background is that unlike our fine country many other countries do not hold the data required, or there simply isn't the bureaucratic apparatus in place for UK officials to check anyone from anywhere.

It's not a case of foreigners getting an easy ride - it's because they are.....foreign!

I can't agree either with CRB checks requiring onerous family histories - I'm CRB checked, a quick form filled out, a short wait. Sorted.

A worthwhile process to have in place when it comes to the welfare and safety of our vulnerable and young.

Which brings us back to Dale Birch - can't remember the last time I saw his missus round our way. Maybe I'll send her a map.

Winstanley, Bracknell
13/03/2013 at 16:16

So Cllr Dale wants cuts for children, but won't take a cut himself!!

Says it all

The voice of reason
13/03/2013 at 14:35

Fair point "tp" If you're British you and checked, they need the inn’s and outs of your grannies knickers yet if you're foreign, alas, there are far less checks that can be or are done. Something really not right there!

HK, bracknell
13/03/2013 at 08:21

Dids, as I understand it well over 90% of planning applications are dealt with by planning officials. Less than 10% get looked at by councillors. and all the guidence you want is here: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/ Basically the Government now says if it is "sustainable" build it. So build where you like really.

Sandyandy, Warfield
13/03/2013 at 01:57

A CRB check is only as good as the records kept. In the case of a person born and raised in the UK there is usually no problem, however with foreign workers it is in many cases impossible to check a history. i say 'usually' as it now comes to light there is a two tier system of record keeping in the UK and so called celebrities records may be hidden even from those police doing the checking.

timespassing
12/03/2013 at 16:33

They can be CRB checked, that I do know. My son is possibly going to become a volunteer at the special needs youth club he goes to and he has to be checked.

HK, bracknell
12/03/2013 at 16:16

The problem with voluntary workers is they can't be monitored, they probably won't be properly screened either.

Mr Mischief
12/03/2013 at 12:13

Why are labour calling for more money to be spent on extra youth workers? You don't have to go back many years to a time when all youth workers were voluntary. If any money is to be spent it should be on recruiting and training parents to get involved.

Similar comments apply to careers advice.

PoneRana, Wokingham
12/03/2013 at 12:03

Whilst councillor Birch is in full flow, can he assure us that fellow Councillors and members of the Planning Committee have not and will not accept personal fees for advising construction companies, and house builders on the new, looser planning laws, which come into operation shortly?

Dids, Bracknell
12/03/2013 at 11:42

The arrogance of Dale Birch - and other councillors - is staggering. Attacked? No Dale you're being held to account and should remember that you are answerable to the electorate not fellow councillors. After all you have a combined vested interest in backing each other up - to keep each other in power.

But one day you will be shown who has the power. And I hope that you one day have to answer to the children you are letting down with your ideological drive to cut budgets.

We can tell it's ideological because your only defence is: 'We're not the last Labour government', ie. no answer at all.