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15/01/04 - Council Response to Westminster Hall Debate

In a statement issued today Council Leader Rex Toft says:

“The Council is extremely concerned about the statements by Eric Martlew MP and Tony Cunningham MP.  The statements are riddled with inaccuracies, and are misleading in many areas”.

For example 

  •                         It is not true that we “have failed” to sell off Construction Services, in fact we are recommending a shortlist of four prospective private sector partners, in order to secure arrangements that will protect the long term interests of the business and quality of local service provision. 
  •                         It is wrong to say we have not invested in Residential Care Homes. Our significant Capital and Maintenance Programme has seen over £2 million spent in improving Cumbria Care homes.
  •                         The Council’s Chief Executive was never suspended.  He is currently on sick leave.
  •                         The Council has not spent £3m on consultants, the true figure is less than half that quoted.  Their advice has already led to substantial savings of £3.8 million.  The savings far exceed the fees paid to them.
  •                         “Almost all” of the Senior Officers have not left the Authority.
  •                         The Council is not planning to sell the Port of Workington.  The Council is working with the local District Council and the Urban Regeneration Company, Westlakes Rennaisance to create an innovative public/public partnership to manage the Port.  The Council is looking to attract the investment needed to secure the future of the port. 

And it doesn’t end there; reductions in Highways Maintenance have been a direct result of the Government’s decision to drastically reduce the council’s annual settlement for highways maintenance. 

“Mr Martlew has not brought to the attention of the Council details of the alleged “Bullying” in children’ homes.  If bullying exists, as alleged, the MP is under a duty to provide details so that it can be checked – and if found to be accurate, then stopped.  

It is acknowledged that the Council does have problems, particularly in the area of Children’s services.  Prompt action is already underway to rectify them. The Audit Commission have recognised the Council delivers many good services, particularly in the area of education, the Fire Service and the general management of resources.

It would have been more responsible for the MPs to have checked the facts before making spurious allegations in Parliament.

There are many other important issues in Cumbria upon which our MPs could usefully lobby Government, that would be far more helpful to their constituents.”