LIB DEMS CONDEM MAYOR'S POVERTY OF AMBITION

2.09.43pm GMT Mon 1st Mar 2010

At the Full Council meeting tomorrow, Liberal Democrat Council leader Steve Darling will be tabling an amendment urging the Mayor to work harder with Torbay NHS Care Trust to improve the quality of life for the less well off.

The amendment will be tabled when the Annual Strategic Agreement 2010/11 with Torbay NHS Care Trust is debated at the council meeting.

Councillor Darling's amendment will read:

"This Council notes that the Annual Strategic Agreement will not achieve the target of 'Performing Well' in the area of Economic Wellbeing.

The target for Adults with learning disabilities in employment is 3.40%, whilst the Comparator Group Average is 8.5%.

Council Officers are tasked to develop an action plan in conjunction with the local Strategic Partnership to achieve the target of 'Performing Well' within this year's agreement for Economic Wellbeing.

Officers are also tasked to develop a longer term framework for the Annual Strategic Agreement that would include 3 to 5 year strategic objectives regarding the Performance Outcomes. A report outlining Officers findings to be presented to Cabinet in September 2010.

Officers should consider funding any resource implications from the Credit Crunch Reserve."

Commenting on the amendment Councillor Darling said, "Torbay had the ignominy of being awarded a Red Flag by the Audit Commission for needing to take urgent action on the quality of life for the less well off. The Annual Strategic Agreement with the Torbay NHS Care Trust will not help improve this. As a result the Mayor will continue to fail the worst off in Torbay. Under the Mayor the Red Flag will continue to fly over the Town Hall. The amendment will ensure that the Council and the Care Trust are also looking at where they want to be in 3 to 5 years time and how they want to improve the lives of the less well off."