Labour leader slams Council over report 'spin'

The leader of the local Labour group, Councillor Colin Lambert, has slammed the Council for putting what he believes to be an overly positive spin on its inspection report, which was published by the Audit Commission earlier this week.

Rochdale Online reported how the report found that too many local people don't have the skills or qualifications needed by employers and find it hard to get a job.

The report marks work to raise skills levels and reduce unemployment with a ‘red flag’ highlighting that local organisations need to focus extra efforts in this area.

Councillor Lambert wants the Council to act on the report's findings and not bury its head in the sand. The Labour leader said: "The CAA Report is a useful report if the Council take it seriously and do not just hide behind their own spin and misbelieve that everything is ok.

"Whilst one area, raising skills to reduce worklessness, has been red flagged, I believe this report highlights the areas of the council which are now seen as weak by the public and council tax payers.

"No-one in the council should be trying to defend the outcome of this inspection, they should be acknowledging that mistakes have been made and that weaknesses are showing.

"I would say the Council has escaped by the skin of its teeth in some areas and it is fortunate that the weak leadership of the Council has not yet been fully exposed.

"The Council has been red flagged in areas of significant concern and action is needed. Nowhere across the council has it received a green flag saying it has exceptional performance or that it has any innovation which others could follow.

"We must see immediate action to restore the council to a good performing council. The council must admit its mistakes and stop beliving its own spin."