Task force to help city children

Letters obtained by BBC Radio Stoke show Children's Minister Beverley Hughes forced the move on the city's elected Mayor Mark Meredith.

In October the mayor claimed he had "stepped in" to solve the problem but the letters show the government had raised concerns months earlier.

Mr Meredith has said he never tried to take credit for the government action.

In one letter, dated 15 March 2006, the minister wrote to Mr Meredith saying a report into care provided by Stoke City Council showed there were "critical weaknesses" which could contribute to children being put at risk.

'Tough stance'

A series of letters from Ms Hughes, which were released to the BBC under the Freedom of Information Act, expressed further concerns that those weaknesses were not being addressed.

On 19 October she wrote to the mayor saying she had invoked powers from the Education Act 1996, to allow an outside company to take over the running of children's services in the city from early next year.

In it she said she expected the co-operation of the council officials and members in implementing her department's wishes.

"However, in view of the risks to children's safety, if such co-operation is not forthcoming, I am minded also to direct whatever is expedient immediately in order to ensure that the tender process proceeds swiftly and effectively."

In a press release headlined Mayor Seeks Major Improvement in Children's Services, and issued on 25 October, Mr Meredith did not reveal the government's tough stance.

It said the mayor had "stepped in after concerns were expressed about the quality of care for vulnerable children".

It went on: "It's time for radical action. I believe we need to consider all options.

"This includes involving outside support and the Department for Education and Skills has indicated that it will help us [with] extra resources to enable us to deliver a modern, effective and caring service which the young people of this city have a right to expect."

Mr Meredith refused to appear on BBC Radio Stoke's breakfast programme on Thursday but said he would comment about the issue on Friday.

But he did tell the BBC he has never tried to take the credit for the government getting involved with children's services.

Conservative councillor Roger Ibbs said: "This information was not given to councillors, the information was kept from us and only recently has the letter come to light.

"That can't be right and I'm afraid it's part of the system we have."

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Stoke-on-Trent City Council
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