Commenting on the publication of the Corporate Assessment in Reading, Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Gareth Epps has sounded a warning about the failure of Labour political leadership to improve the Council’s performance, and a 'culture of spin' which may be hiding failings in performance.
The assessment shows that Reading Borough Council having made no progress under Labour; Reading remains a council with a score of 3, with no improvement from the last Assessment in 2002.
Commenting, Cllr Epps said:
“This report recognises much good work being done in Reading, but it is clear that the Council is doing no more than coasting under Labour.
“Tribute must be put to staff in particular whose performance is recognised throughout this report. But while Reading may be good at doing what the Government tells it to, it's clearly not so good at responding to local needs or to going with the grain of the community.
"The most worrying finding is about a culture of spin. The report makes clear that the Council is only too eager to trumpet success, but reports often appear to hide what may be serious performance failings, such as those tragically clear in the field of child protection.
"The prospects for Reading are good under our excellent new Chief Executive. The report acknowledges the success of the improved Scrutiny process under the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives. However, a better Council can only come from the Labour administration listening and learning. With the Council in no overall control, if problems are not addressed under Labour, they will have to be addressed under a different administration.”
Comments