“The judgement announced earlier this month by OFSTED that Essex County Council’s rating for safeguarding children remains “inadequate” is a huge disappointment,” said Cllr Theresa Higgins, Liberal Democrat spokesman. “No amount of spin can disguise the fact that this is a damming judgement which is acutely embarrassing to the County Council.”

“We, as the Official Opposition, have been warning the Tory controlled County Council that it is spending far too much time and money trying to boost its own image instead of concentrating on basic services. Safeguarding our most vulnerable children must be the highest priority; this inadequate rating is a very real concern to us.”

Today, at the Full Council meeting at Essex County Council, Acting Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Theresa Higgins, responded to the statement on 'Essex's response to Coalition Government announcements' made by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Peter Martin. She reminded the Leader that - whilst Conservatives and Liberal Democrats were in coalition at a national level - at county level Liberal Democrats will continue to call the administration to account. In particular she highlighted the ever increasing burden placed on the voluntary sector, and raised concerns that the most vulnerable residents of Essex should be protected, along with front-line services.

Lib Dem County Councillor and Economic Spokesman, David Kendall, has managed to get answers to a number of key questions regarding ‘Banking on Essex’ from Tory controlled Essex County Council. Cllr Kendall, a long term critic of ‘Banking on Essex’, wanted to know just how much support had been given to small businesses in Essex since its launch in a blaze of publicity back in November / December 2009. Judging by the answers he has received, Cllr Kendall believes he was right to be concerned.