Marvin Rees has denied that Bristol City Council “intimidates, gaslights and bullies” parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The mayor, responding to ferocious criticism from opposition Green Cllr Christine Townsend at the annual budget-setting full council meeting, said the local authority did not have “some great evil subterfuge plot” against families.
Cllr Townsend claimed the Labour administration’s “ongoing contempt” of parents was “beyond measure". It follows a series of crises in SEND provision in Bristol, including last year’s social media spying scandal, massive delays to education, health and care plans (EHCPs) and an order from the Government last month for the organisation to heal its “fractured relationship” with mums, dads and carers.
The row prompted the intervention of lord mayor Green Cllr Paula O’Rourke, who chairs full council meetings, to keep the debate civil. Councillors were debating Lib Dem Cllr Tim Kent’s budget amendment to slash £184,000 from legal defences of SEND tribunals and redirect the cash into employing more caseworkers to resolve disputes earlier and speed up assessments for youngsters.
