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Simon Hughes MPRepresenting Southwark and Bermondsey since 1983 |
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Labour Southwark fails to respond to parents concerns over secret plans to close Tenda Road nursery
April 13, 2012 7:00 PM
Southwark Liberal Democrat councillors have called on the Labour Cabinet Member for Children & Families to end the silence over the proposed closure of childcare facilities at the Tenda Road and Bishop's House nurseries.
When quizzed at the March Council Assembly meeting about the lack of consultation the Labour leader replied 'there is no obligation to consult'.
In the last three weeks, concerned local parents and councillors have written to the Leader of Southwark Council (Peter John) and the Cabinet Member responsible for the decision (Catherine McDonald) to raise concerns about the planned closure and the failed consultation process but are yet to receive a response.
Concerned local parent, Claire Gager, commented on the Facebook campaign page, saying:
"I wrote to Catherine McDonald and Peter John right at the beginning. Have never had any reply!"
South Bermondsey Councillor, Graham Neale, whose ward includes the Tenda Road nursery, said:
"The community is in revolt over Labour's secret plans to close this much-loved and well-used community facility and it is simply not acceptable for those responsible to be staying silent.
"At last month's Council Assembly meeting, Leader Peter John was forced to admit that there was no consultation with local parents about the closure before the decision was taken and that the first they knew of the plans was in a letter sent out-of-the-blue last month.
"The local community deserve answers. It is an insult for the Leader and Cabinet Member to ignore their letters and fail to respond to their valid concerns. This is no way to treat concerned local parents."