tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post5111289120596945065..comments2024-01-30T07:41:20.885+00:00Comments on Broken Barnet: A heartbreak too difficult to describe: the children of Oakleigh School, and the Tory councillors who took away their fundingMrs Angryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-15589444251011355942014-06-28T19:15:16.857+01:002014-06-28T19:15:16.857+01:00Barnet in The Guardian, with Raynet as its star:
...Barnet in The Guardian, with Raynet as its star:<br /><br />http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/25/barnet-tories-confusion-regret-and-so-much-more<br /><br />Bringing the council into disrepute?Red Sonianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-19392393954337137452014-06-28T10:32:01.119+01:002014-06-28T10:32:01.119+01:00I forgot to say Cllr Cohen has been complaining th...I forgot to say Cllr Cohen has been complaining that the new Crapita ipads issued to cllrs is barring Broken Barnet, on the grounds of needing to be over 18 to view such dangerous and corrupting adult material as this. So he will never see this touching tribute. Shame.Mrs Angryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-3005218593960379922014-06-28T10:30:29.709+01:002014-06-28T10:30:29.709+01:00The sole Lib Dem is Jack Cohen, a man of great int...The sole Lib Dem is Jack Cohen, a man of great integrity, quiet charm, and wit. He has many years experience, and much wisdom, and speaks brilliantly. More of a lefty liberal than a Cleggite, and often more lefty - although this is not hard - than the current Labour leadership. Frequently shows more passion in opposition than the party in opposition (as it was - different dynamics now). In short, he is the best Labour leader we never had. <br /><br />Come home, Jack: all is forgiven.<br /><br />He is also a racing tipster, and a bit of a film buff. Unfortunately he is prone to argue with Mrs Angry about such things as the loose rivets on the Titanic, and the titles of obscure films, which is impertinent of him.<br /><br />In short, he can be relied upon to do the right thing, and follow his conscience when voting: unlike many of the other elected representatives, who just want a quiet life and a free buffet. Mrs Angryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-46007587172569700372014-06-28T09:36:59.972+01:002014-06-28T09:36:59.972+01:00What can you tell us about the sole Lib Dem who wi...What can you tell us about the sole Lib Dem who will have so much power in Barnet?Red Sonianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-70332257873943934932014-06-27T19:01:26.440+01:002014-06-27T19:01:26.440+01:00Red Sonia: only a whisker away now from gaining co...Red Sonia: only a whisker away now from gaining control of the council ... with luck this council will be wrestled from the grip of the Tories, and we can begin to put right the damage they have caused.<br /><br />Steph: I am sure that almost every resident of this borough would be horrified to know that you have been treated in this way. No one could possibly be more in need of support than you and your children, and I hope that the long term funding review reflects this as a priority.<br /><br />Friends of mine nursed a terminally ill child with disabilities for nearly ten years, and I do have some idea of the daily toll of such responsibilities, and the emotional and physical toll on those who care for children with such profound needs. I have nothing but admiration for parents and carers who do this, and I hope you are given the resources you need to continue doing what you do.Mrs Angryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-29828848182983170852014-06-27T16:38:57.415+01:002014-06-27T16:38:57.415+01:00Thank you for your intelligent and articulate arti...Thank you for your intelligent and articulate article. I was one of the parents there. I really appreciate that others, who are perhaps less personally affected by our daily issues, share our horror at these proposed cuts and are helping to stand up for us.stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09485253860782682694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-87201446971399531842014-06-27T10:11:59.773+01:002014-06-27T10:11:59.773+01:00Tories 32, Others 31. Tory who should be stripped...Tories 32, Others 31. Tory who should be stripped of power - at least one, maybe more.<br /><br />Come on you Labour and sole Lib Dem - show your mettle.Red Sonianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-25961743547474336032014-06-27T09:49:31.245+01:002014-06-27T09:49:31.245+01:00Thank you for your comment, Confused. The implicat...Thank you for your comment, Confused. The implications of the Care Act, from what you say, are directly relevant here, and it sounds as if a close examination of the legislation would be very useful. And as recent events have demonstrated, one can no longer rely on Barnet to be acting with the confidence that comes from the proper degree of legal advice.<br /><br />And yes, you are of course absolutely right: a truly disgusting decision, but the human perspective is one that is not understood by this council, whose lack of empathy is verging on the sociopathic, and drafts its policies accordingly.Mrs Angryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-48659154244620640962014-06-27T08:56:10.710+01:002014-06-27T08:56:10.710+01:00I think that this cut to funding is, legally, very...I think that this cut to funding is, legally, very short sighted considering the passing of the Care Act 2014; which will need to be implemented into services by April 2015. <br /><br />This places a statutory duty, on the council, to protect the wellbeing of carers and the people they care for. The act does allow the borough to charge for any services provided, however, this is normally a contribution based on the council’s Fairer Charging policies.<br /><br />I need to read up on the full implications of the act and there may be some differences between caring for disabled adults and disabled children but as the act was created to consolidate relevant bits from other acts I should think it is meant to cover all.<br /><br />From a human perspective it is plainly a disgusting decision; legalities, logic and humanity seen to follow completely different paths at times.Confusednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-12093975241997119362014-06-26T22:47:44.583+01:002014-06-26T22:47:44.583+01:00Anon: regarding the Somali centre, I think those c...Anon: regarding the Somali centre, I think those children have needs as well, and I don't begrudge the funding to rebuild such a centre, especially if it has been deliberately targeted. All children in need should be prioritised, and supported: if we can afford to waste so much money on private consultants, and a new recycling scheme costing far more than it should, we most certainly can afford to keep respite care for children with such profound disabilities.Mrs Angryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-49317570187551838132014-06-26T17:44:23.968+01:002014-06-26T17:44:23.968+01:00Thanks, Mrs B: good advice. Worth looking at.Thanks, Mrs B: good advice. Worth looking at.Mrs Angryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-35251865682695712792014-06-26T17:41:39.698+01:002014-06-26T17:41:39.698+01:00Has Healthwatch Barnet been told and sent info abo...Has Healthwatch Barnet been told and sent info about the imapct of the cuts to social care for children and their families?<br /><br />Healthwatch's role is to gathers peoples views and to articulate them in meetings and also can escalate an issue nationally if there are concerns about impact of decisions in the quality of services. <br /><br />while I dont know Barnet Helathwatch role and they cannot be political this could be another route into making sure services are help to accountMrs Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-81397774790291356382014-06-26T10:38:03.146+01:002014-06-26T10:38:03.146+01:00Lisa, thank you for your comment: I will update th...Lisa, thank you for your comment: I will update the post to remind readers that there are still cuts to other bodies, which is an appalling indictment of the cynical way in which the council operates: firstly imposing these cuts and then restoring some of them in reaction to the risk of negative publicity. I am sure you have little enough time to do much about it, but I would suggest you protest as much and as publicly as possible, until they are forced into giving you the support you deserve.Mrs Angryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-61960744847348451262014-06-26T10:25:19.828+01:002014-06-26T10:25:19.828+01:00That moved me to tears. Shaming that this is happ...That moved me to tears. Shaming that this is happening anywhere in the country, let alone our capital city. Why is it that those with the most vulnerable of children have to fight tooth and nail for them? Wrong, wrong, wrong and thanks Mrs Angry for highlighting these most important of issues. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-43654053864782372682014-06-25T18:09:44.868+01:002014-06-25T18:09:44.868+01:00I should Explain further that it was for After sch...I should Explain further that it was for After school club & Religious instruction !!!! Do we Really say yes to one Group & No to Another !!! The point is that the somali children can change there circumstances !!! The Disabled children Can't !!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-50158326952218924262014-06-25T17:26:44.572+01:002014-06-25T17:26:44.572+01:00Dear Mrs Angry
As you know it is not just OOPS and...Dear Mrs Angry<br />As you know it is not just OOPS and Mapledown but there are 9 organisations offering help and support and a little respite to children with various disabilities in the borough. At Resources for Autism we too have lost 1/3 of our funding to provide vital short breaks for children with autism. Many of our children and young people have behaviour that makes it very difficult for them to attend other groups. We specialise in providing a service for those whose difficulties mean they are excluded and we turn no one with a diagnosis of autism away. We are struggling currently to fund all our provision. We offer adult services with no help from the council and fundraising is increasingly hard. With summer apporaching our holiday schemes are all full and the phone keeps ringing with new requests. 6 weeks with no appropriate respite is a very long time for both t e child and their families. We are delighted that Mapledown and OOPS have had a little good news even if it is only short term but the rest of us struggle on.<br />Many thanks for your heartflet blog. Liza Dresner Resources for Autism liza@resourcesforautism.org.ukLiza Dresnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01219616233175602800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-54149847565026204782014-06-25T17:08:15.889+01:002014-06-25T17:08:15.889+01:00Mrs A , it fills me with such sadness that this is...Mrs A , it fills me with such sadness that this is Happening in our Borough !! The Hypocrisy is Breath taking !! I attended a mtg at Finchley Reform synagogue , Before the Election , All Very Friendly !! We're the Two Leaders were Falling Over themselves to throw first £1.2 m & then £1.4 m at the Somali centre in coppets wood !!! ( let's by votes ) I would add that what Happened if a Racist attack is a Discrace !! We provide Education for the children & the majority will go on to be an asset to us ! Barnet council is also providing free of charge Accommodation at Barnet House !!! At a cost to Us of £2.000 wk Disabled FCUKAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-17177249025575627002014-06-25T12:49:14.194+01:002014-06-25T12:49:14.194+01:00I have yet to read or hear anything from the Tory ...I have yet to read or hear anything from the Tory administration that gives me any form of comfort. They are the dementors of local politics Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-65780437316705920382014-06-25T09:43:35.505+01:002014-06-25T09:43:35.505+01:00Pannusf10: he certainly had not visited Mapledown ...Pannusf10: he certainly had not visited Mapledown at the time of the cuts: really you would think that of all the schools in the borough that should be prioritised, it is such schools: but in Barnet Tories are obsessed with the prestige of the highly selective schools which are always top of the league tables - unsurprisingly, because their pupils are the highest scoring applicants from anywhere in the Greater London area, and could hardly fail with such a carefully managed intake. <br /><br />The real difficulties and challenges faced by residents who are more vulnerable and dependent on support are of little interest.<br /><br />Yvonne, you are absolutely right: how on earth did it happen that parents were driven to pleading for what should be theirs by right, without question? <br /><br />The mark of the Tory administration in this borough is a lack of empathy, to an almost sociopathic extreme. Individuals may have compassion for others, but collectively they act with no real understanding of the needs of residents who are less fortunately placed in life.Mrs Angryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00586223909475832791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-63061769533101875872014-06-25T00:37:31.670+01:002014-06-25T00:37:31.670+01:00I have a son like those children described here. I...I have a son like those children described here. I am overcome with admiration for the parents, standing together and standing up to the rather sad, pathetic and ignorant group of councillors who have no clue what life is all about. Huge congratulations, but it simply should never have been necessary that this group of parents, already coping with challenges beyond the imagination of most, should have had to galvanise themselves so effectively and at such personal cost. Beautifully written up too - I felt I was in the room too. The sense of anger being communicated with articulate dignity was palpable. Thank you, you all took this stand for all of us. Yvonnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15846161876247142748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6371203489316363738.post-20146885971877159822014-06-24T23:48:19.841+01:002014-06-24T23:48:19.841+01:00I have worked at Oakleigh school. I am profoundly ...I have worked at Oakleigh school. I am profoundly shocked that Mr Reubens is Chair of Education and has not bothered to visit Mapledown or Oakleigh schools. Has he been to the units in Barnet schools that deliver special needs and autism provision? This is appalling. How can you pretend to be a councillor in charge of an borough wide education policy without having visited your own borough's schools?Pannusf10https://www.blogger.com/profile/09021798384000506381noreply@blogger.com