The proposal put forward by Councillor Rob Waltham for this meeting in the council chamber at 6pm on the 22/7/11 makes for interesting reading and will raise discussion especially from the Labour Group side if allowed to do so, and quite rightly so.  For those who have not seen it Councillor Rob Waltham Cabinet member for Adult and Children’s services proposal reads:

“This council receives the petition in relation to the Lilacs Resource Centre and acknowledges the decision to keep the centre open, a decision that has been welcomed by carers, staff and the wider community and the council thanks them for their comments.

This council also resolves to receive the petition from 2400 residents based throughout North Lincolnshire regarding Scotter House following the flawed consultation undertaken by the previous Labour administration.  This council now resolves to try and regain lost faith, held by carers and service users alike, by undertaking a comprehensive and meaningful consultation to support present and future carers’ needs.”

Now when you actually look at it, it’s plain to see that the only reason that Councillor Rob Waltham and his colleagues have U – Turned on the matter is because of the pressure of public opinion, a wish to avoid bad ‘press’ headlines, a lack of constructive justification and the fact that to close either at this time was a step too far, one they wouldn’t nor couldn’t get away with.

All of those previous reasons were being and continue to be voiced by:

(a) A 3000 signature petition supporting keeping the Lilacs Resource Centre open.

(b) A 2400 signature petition supporting keeping Scotter House open.

In the second part of the proposal the Cabinet member for Adult and Children’s services attempts to gain the moral high ground on the matter for both the Conservative Group and himself suggesting that the previous Labour administration’s consultation was flawed.  However as the Conservative Group’s agent and co-ordinator in the recent NLC elections he will be aware of what the Conservative Group’s aim is in regard to this type of subject as he led the way in promoting it as part of the Conservative Group’s priorities on electoral literature he produced and I quote:

       Close Children's Homes and invest in Foster carers

This being the case, it would seem to highlight his true beliefs regarding this type of support and its value and though it is arguable that the previous Labour administration’s consultation was flawed at least they were prepared to previously consult. In Councillor Rob Waltham’s case the evidence clearly shows the type of ideology that he and his colleagues have and now have the power to do.

 Though the meeting will and I quote: “Consider the following motion of which notice has been given and to pass such resolutions as may be necessary.” I would be very wary of this Cabinet member for Adult and Children’s services intent to undertake “a comprehensive and meaningful consultation to support present and future carers’ needs” based on his previously declared electoral intent.

As we see Councillor Rob Waltham the Cabinet member for Adult and Children’s services leading the constant Conservative Group’s attack on ALL the public sector services within the NLC control with his Council Leader and Deputy Leader clinging on to his shirt tail in awe and wonder of his political astute and prowess,  it is my belief that the Lilacs resource centre and Scotter House supporters have only earned themselves a respite period from the attack they are under from the Cabinet member for Adult and Children’s services and the NLC Conservative Group.

Come the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council on the 22 July 2011 I’m sure that the Labour Group led by Councillor Mark Kirk and using the expertise of Councillor Tony Gosling will do all that they can to publically highlight the concerns they have in regard to this matter and what they believe is the true long term intent of the Cabinet member for Adult and Children’s services and the NLC Conservative Group.

To both the supporters of the Lilacs Resource Centre and Scotter House as well as the NLC Labour Group Councillor’s, I wish you all good fortune in the challenge you face, you all have long and bitter battles ahead where this matter is concerned.

GARY DAY

http://garyday2011.wordpress.com/