I have commented before on the scandal of inadequate provision by Kent County Council for the protection of vulnerable children. Last year a damning report was published by OFSTED. Today, KCC's Cabinet met and set out what the Council proposes to do to remedy the position.
The concerns are: why the failure was permitted to develop, that nothing significant was done about it and that no-one feels sufficient shame to resign over the issue. What has happened is a scandal from which no amount of special pleading can absolve those responsible.
One officer is to take voluntary redundancy. But what of the councillors we elect and expect to run the Council properly and in particular not to fail in its duty to vulnerable children? Not a hint of a resignation.
At one time government ministers felt obliged to resign for failings in their departments, even though the matter on which they resigned had been in the hands of civil servants. It was regarded as the honourable thing to do.
Unfortunately, now that politics has become a career rather than a matter of public service, self-preservation to ensure careers continue has become the order of the day. Rather than resign the mantra now voiced is along the lines: well we got into this mess on my watch and I am best placed to get us out of it.
In my opinion this is condescending tosh. It is unacceptable. There should be councillor resignations in KCC. There won't be of course, the aphrodisiac of power will persuade them to stay in post.
KENT COMMUNITY ACTIVIST: acerbic, carping, caustic, curmudgeonly,critical, cynical, grumpy, moaning, sardonic and plain speaking.
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