Latest news with #ZoeFranklin
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
MPs should not 'talk down' Surrey's SEND service, says council leader
The leader of Surrey County Council, Tim Oliver, has said MPs should not "talk down" the service which handles special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs have written separate letters to Clare Curran, the councillor in charge of children's services, after she sent an email saying the department would respond to fewer SEND cases raised by told BBC Radio Surrey she wanted MPs to "ensure" that parents who were hoping to challenge decisions use the "correct" appeal MP for Guildford, Zöe Franklin, said she was "stunned" to receive the email. In a speech at a full council meeting on Tuesday, Oliver said Surrey County Council had more than 16,000 children with education health and care plans (EHCPs), one of the highest numbers in the country."I urge all our MPs to use your position to speak up for Surrey in Parliament, not to talk down a service that needs urgent national reform and support this council and government to implement reforms that work for our children, their families, and for all councils across the country," he told BBC Radio Surrey she understood the frustration that families have with SEND services and why they would want to speak to their MPs."I am purely asking those MPs to ensure that their constituents are aware of the correct channels of appeal," she said she was "frankly stunned" to receive the email and that she'd had "no advance communications" indicating the council was concerned."I, for one, have 50 cases relating to SEND, so we are trying to support parents and families," she said people approaching her had already been through the proper procedure and that MPs were a "last resort" most of the the meeting, Woking's MP Will Forster, who is also a county councillor, said he had about 40 active SEND cases. Eber Kington, from the Residents' Association and Independents group, said it was important that councillors and MPs did not have "communication barriers put in place by children's services."
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Surrey County Council responding to fewer SEND cases from MPS
Surrey MPs say they are disappointed that Surrey County Council (SCC) has said it will respond to fewer special educational needs cases raised by email, seen by the BBC, tells the politicians that "the council will no longer provide a response to individual cases where a more appropriate alternative route is available".Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs have written separate letters to the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Learning, Clare Curran, about the a statement from SCC, Curran said the email was to "remind them that the current process" is through a "formal appeal". The Liberal Democrat letter, which is signed by Guildford's Zoe Franklin, Dorking and Horley MP Chris Coghlan, Will Forster in Woking, Monica Harding in Esher and Walton, Helen Maguire in Epsom and Ewell and Al Pinkerton in Surrey Heath, has urged SCC to letter also said that the goal of the MPs is to "improve outcomes" for constituents and "improve the systems and processes in place".It adds: "The decision to sever communication between our offices and the council in this manner contradicts these principles and ultimately harms the very people we are all here to serve: the residents of Surrey."The Conservative letter is from Runnymede and Weybridge MP, Dr Ben Spencer, Reigate's Rebecca Paul, Lincoln Jopp in Spelthorne, Greg Stafford in Farnham and Bordon, Claire Coutinho in East Surrey, Sir Jeremy Hunt in Godalming and Ash and Jack Rankin in Windsor, who represents people living in Virginia Water and Englefield Green. 'Strong relationships' It says that "limiting engagement with MPs who advocate for constituents in this way is likely to be concerning to the public".It adds: "Should the decision stand, we would welcome further clarity on the scope of engagement you are proposing with MPs, in particular regarding whether responses will still be provided where constituents experience difficulty receiving timely communication from SCC."Curran said the council values "strong relationships" with the MPs and that there are "clear channels of communication"."The recent communication sent to all MPs was to remind them that the correct process for families who are dissatisfied with a final council decision is to challenge it by way of a formal appeal," she said."This is the appropriate and most effective route for families, and information on how to do this is always included when families are notified in writing of the council's decision."
The Independent
07-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Call for stronger duty on councils to provide housing to domestic abuse victims
Victims of domestic abuse are choosing not to leave dangerous situations because they are unable to get access to suitable housing, an MP said, as she called for the statutory duty on local authorities to be strengthened. Liberal Democrat MP Zoe Franklin said councils are not currently obligated to offer like-for-like housing, which can create 'significant barriers' for those fleeing abuse. This came as Labour MP Lee Barron told the Commons one of his constituents, who is a victim of domestic abuse, was forced to choose between a safe home and her children. Communities minister Rushanara Ali said the Government is prioritising tackling violence against women, and pointed to a £13 million uplift in funding. During housing, communities and local government questions, Ms Franklin, MP for Guildford, said: 'Victims of domestic violence urgently need safe, stable accommodation. 'However, currently councils have no obligation to offer like-for-like housing. 'Too often the duty is discharged by suggesting private rentals, which are frequently unaffordable or unsuitable for those on low incomes. 'This creates a significant barrier for many victims, and even places (them) in a situation where they choose not to leave because they can't have the housing that they need. 'Can the minister further explain how … she is taking steps to ensure victims are offered genuinely safe, appropriate, affordable housing and whether she will consider strengthening statutory duty on councils to better support those fleeing domestic abuse?' Communities minister Rushanara Ali replied: 'She will be aware that there is a massive housing shortage, there are challenges around supported housing. 'We need to make sure – as we are doing – that the victims of domestic violence get the support they need, which is why we provided the additional uplift of £13 million, totalling to a £160 million. 'And we are working across Government to tackle the root causes of violence against women, within which economic support, housing support is crucial, and I look forward to working with her and others on this important agenda.' Earlier in the session, Corby and East Northamptonshire MP Mr Barron said: ' One of my constituents is a victim of domestic abuse and on a 999 priority list. 'She was served a section 21 notice by her landlord, but was denied property band A housing by the council, this was because she signed a police protection order stating she was not at risk of domestic violence in order to keep custody of her children. 'This forced her to choose between her children and a safe home. What is (the minister) doing to ensure councils properly prioritise domestic abuse victims, so that no-one faces such an impossible choice?' Ms Ali said she was 'so sorry to hear about the difficulties' his constituent faced, adding: 'This is horrific, and he will be aware the Government is focused on tackling violence against women, working across departments … led by the Home Secretary and the Deputy Prime Minister. 'Local authorities are strongly encouraged through statutory guidance to give priority for social housing to victims of domestic abuse, and their families, particularly if they are homeless and require urgent rehousing. 'And we are also taking action to exempt victims of domestic abuse from local connections tests, where these apply, to ensure there are no barriers to victims accessing social housing.'
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Call for stronger duty on councils to provide housing to domestic abuse victims
Victims of domestic abuse are choosing not to leave dangerous situations because they are unable to get access to suitable housing, an MP said, as she called for the statutory duty on local authorities to be strengthened. Liberal Democrat MP Zoe Franklin said councils are not currently obligated to offer like-for-like housing, which can create 'significant barriers' for those fleeing abuse. This came as Labour MP Lee Barron told the Commons one of his constituents, who is a victim of domestic abuse, was forced to choose between a safe home and her children. Communities minister Rushanara Ali said the Government is prioritising tackling violence against women, and pointed to a £13 million uplift in funding. During housing, communities and local government questions, Ms Franklin, MP for Guildford, said: 'Victims of domestic violence urgently need safe, stable accommodation. 'However, currently councils have no obligation to offer like-for-like housing. 'Too often the duty is discharged by suggesting private rentals, which are frequently unaffordable or unsuitable for those on low incomes. 'This creates a significant barrier for many victims, and even places (them) in a situation where they choose not to leave because they can't have the housing that they need. 'Can the minister further explain how … she is taking steps to ensure victims are offered genuinely safe, appropriate, affordable housing and whether she will consider strengthening statutory duty on councils to better support those fleeing domestic abuse?' Communities minister Rushanara Ali replied: 'She will be aware that there is a massive housing shortage, there are challenges around supported housing. 'We need to make sure – as we are doing – that the victims of domestic violence get the support they need, which is why we provided the additional uplift of £13 million, totalling to a £160 million. 'And we are working across Government to tackle the root causes of violence against women, within which economic support, housing support is crucial, and I look forward to working with her and others on this important agenda.' Earlier in the session, Corby and East Northamptonshire MP Mr Barron said: 'One of my constituents is a victim of domestic abuse and on a 999 priority list. 'She was served a section 21 notice by her landlord, but was denied property band A housing by the council, this was because she signed a police protection order stating she was not at risk of domestic violence in order to keep custody of her children. 'This forced her to choose between her children and a safe home. What is (the minister) doing to ensure councils properly prioritise domestic abuse victims, so that no-one faces such an impossible choice?' Ms Ali said she was 'so sorry to hear about the difficulties' his constituent faced, adding: 'This is horrific, and he will be aware the Government is focused on tackling violence against women, working across departments … led by the Home Secretary and the Deputy Prime Minister. 'Local authorities are strongly encouraged through statutory guidance to give priority for social housing to victims of domestic abuse, and their families, particularly if they are homeless and require urgent rehousing. 'And we are also taking action to exempt victims of domestic abuse from local connections tests, where these apply, to ensure there are no barriers to victims accessing social housing.'
