Council told to improve child service.LEADERS of Birmingham Birmingham, cities, United States Birmingham (bûr`mĭnghăm') 1 City (1990 pop. 265,968), seat of Jefferson co., N central Ala., in the Jones Valley near the southern end of the Appalachian system; founded and inc. City Council have been told to "pull your socks up" by a government minister. The order came from Local Government Minister John Healey John Healey (born 13 February, 1960) is the British politician. He is the Labour Member of Parliament for Wentworth and Minister of State in the Department for Communities and Local Government. following a critical report into the local authority's performance. An Audit Commission study slammed protection measures the council has in place for children at risk of abuse as "inadequate". The council's three-star rating, denoting good performance, was cut to two stars - indicating performing only at minimum requirements. Mr Healey was confident that Birmingham would bounce back bounce v. bounced, bounc·ing, bounc·es v.intr. 1. To rebound after having struck an object or a surface. 2. but he warned that any council that saw a further decline in standards after being told to improve could expect direct action from the Government. Mr Healey said: "I have no time for those who say the Audit Commission has been too tough on councils, especially where children are concerned. We expect the highest standards when it comes to protecting the most vulnerable children." |
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