Only Conservative-controlled Essex County Council could try and spin the escalation of a Government Direction - originally served on the County Council in March 2009, because of inadequate progress on safeguarding children - as a mark of achievement said Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Councillor Tom Smith-Hughes.

"This is political and PR manipulation at its worst. A clear rebuke - notwithstanding some progress made - is being interpreted as fulsome praise by the Council in its media announcements. I am concerned that the Essex public should not be misled on this issue. Escalation by the Government of their earlier Notice to Improve safeguarding of children is a mark of shame, not an acknowledgement of achievement.

"I and my party acknowledge steps taken to improve Children's Services, but the progress has been slower than it should have been. We will continue to work with the Conservative administration and officers to progress the further significant improvements required so that vulnerable children are appropriately safeguarded. Indeed, we had already put down a Motion asking for all councillors to be involved, to be discussed at Full Council on December 15, which was submitted before we were aware of the Government's escalated Direction Notice. However, this even more urgent wake-up call to the Council - which has been issued because of disappointingly slow progress in responding to concerns about procedures for safeguarding vulnerable children - must not be portrayed as a badge of honour for exemplary behaviour. "