VIDEO:’Parents are terrified and feel ignored and abandoned by Havering Council’-Anger over possible SEND cuts for Havering children.

‘The council are making decisions for children they know nothing about, they have not listened to us and are penalising our children’.

‘Cost comparisons were made versus Uber. A company famous for having safety issues and untrusted by women across London and a company whose prices rise and fall on demand. What parent would put their vulnerable child into a car with a stranger?‘

Parents stood outside of the Town Hall in Romford yesterday evening (Wednesday 17 January) despite freezing temperatures in the hope that the Havering administration would listen to their pleas and stop possible cuts to travel for their SEND children.

A consultation began in September last year when the Havering Residents Association Councillors put forward the possible cutting of funding to travel for SEND children across Havering. The consultation was launched and at the full council meeting last night an amendment to the previous motion was voted through.

The Conservative councillors have opposed any proposed cuts and have been meeting with parents on a regular basis. Councillor David Taylor from St Edwards ward said: “The parents do not trust the consultation process which is why we are putting forward the motion for this to be paused. After meeting with parents last week I logged a formal complaint with council. The original HRA amendment called on the council to accept the changes before they had seen the consultation. This in my opinion and the parents I met, looks like the administration have already decided on what they want to do. Parents are terrified by these proposals. One parent viewed the changes as not legal and others felt they were being ignored, patronised and abandoned.

“As for the consultation itself, it left me stunned. Cost comparisons were made versus Uber. A company famous for having safety issues and untrusted by women across London and company whose prices rise and fall on demand. What parent would put their vulnerable child into a car with a stranger?”

The amendment passed yesterday by the administration, states no decision has been made and the consultation results will be heard by an Overview and Scrutiny Board and then at full council.

Parents have been living in anxiety since these proposed cuts were first made. A petition was launched that has now reached over 400 signatures.

One parent told the Haverting Daily:”Our children have no voices, it is up to us to make our voices heard. I would never send my child to school in an Uber, I trust the transport system I have now, our drivers understand our children’s complex needs and are always helpful and friendly. They are penalising the most vulnerable in our community. Money comes first again.”

Councillor David Taylor, who has been very outspoken on these cuts and spent time yesterday outside of the Town Hall talking with parents, told the Havering Daily: “I am disappointed by the decision taken tonight. Parents have made it clear that they do not believe the consultation is being conducted properly, nor do they believe they will be listened to.

“The council’s proposal claims to save just £350k a year. But the council found £1 million for free parking in Hornchurch and Upminster.

“When it comes to tough financial decisions, we should not put parking above parents.”

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