The unusual site banners are to bring attention to the fact that Labour activists in Bexley are manipulating Facebook Groups with fictional posters. They deny it, threaten police action for ‘harassing’ a fictitious character and then demonstrate their willingness to impersonate by creating a false Administrator account in my name. The banner on display is chosen randomly from a selection of three, with a fourth bearing the familiar Bexley Council is Bonkers logo.
27 March (Part 2) - Child care and education
Monday saw another Children’s and Education Scrutiny meeting; not something I find very interesting but someone somewhere may wish to keep an eye on things.
• 92% of Bexley schools now have OFSTED ratings of Good or Outstanding.
• Only two weeks ago we were told how Bexley is
doing very well with its Education
and Health Care Plans and suddenly that is no longer the case. 90% down to only 77% being completed on time but a temporary blip
due to strikes and staff shortages so it was said.
• The cost of child care placements is astronomical with the highest nationally being
£63,000 per week and £27,000 in London. In Bexley the highest is £16,000 for one child per week.
• The Covid period additional demand for services is gradually abating.
• Recreational Courses have become too expensive so the same tutors are
operating independently at about a third of the cost. College overheads are
massively too high. (From a statement by Councillor John Davey which was not disputed.)
• The number of children registered with
Children’s Centres varies between 2 and
13% across different Council wards without any very obvious geographical pattern.
Methods for attracting more are being considered. (Social Media etc.)