Tory efforts won this star (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Tory efforts won this star

How thrilled and proud I was to hear that our Social Services have been given a star rating.

When I joined the council last year I was told that we, the new Conservative administration, had inherited from Labour, one of the worst-run councils in the country and that Social Services had failed in the services it delivered to residents.

I would like to pay tribute now to all the hard-working and caring staff who have turned this service around and achieved a well deserved star.

I would also like to pay tribute to Coun Ian Dobie for all his tireless efforts, skill and heartfelt care for bringing this about.

I am really confident that a two-star rating is within our grasp.

However, the Labour councillors should be holding their heads in shame for allowing this to happen in the first place and there has never been a better demonstration that voting Labour is not only a waste of time and money but can leave a legacy of failure.

In answer to Coun Montaut's comment about the cost to the Swindon taxpayer £1 million came from the ODPM and £2 million was a refund in overcharged non-domestic rates for a number of borough-owned property assets which Labour councillors allowed to happen in the first place.

I say to residents that this must not happen ever again. Remember this at the May elections, forget it at our peril.

Coun C Lovell

Swindon