Telford Tories in child care spending row
Telford & Wrekin Council's Cabinet member for Children and Young people, Paul Watling, today attacked the comments of the leader of the opposition on Telford and Wrekin council for his claim that spending on the care of children should be cash limited.
Cllr Watling said he was not prepared to put a price on the safety of children and that whilst the council would continue to invest in early intervention, he did not want care professionals putting budgets before children's safety.
Cllr Andrew Eade said at the cabinet meeting last night that spending on the care of children was "out of control" and should be cut back. He claimed the money was "leaking out of the authority".
Cllr Paul Watling said:
"No social worker takes a child into care lightly and I am clear there should not be a budget constraint on whether we give children the care they need when they need it. We refuse to put a price on the safety of children and if that is really Councillor Eade's belief it is no wonder the electorate of Telford and Wrekin so comprehensively rejected his party in May."
Following the meeting, Cllr Eade offered to work with the administration to find ways of reducing the spending on looked after children.
Cllr Watling added:
"Cllr Eade has offered to work with us to find ways of helping to improve the care of children and so I have invited him to join the Co-operative Commission which is already looking at this. I am pleased he is going to join with us and stop using care for children as a political football."
