Oxfordshire County Council has claimed it will ‘operate as usual’ despite the devastating collapse of its coalition.
The council’s ruling Fair Deal Alliance of Liberal Democrats, Labour and Green parties, which had run the council since 2021, was shattered on Sunday afternoon when the Labour Party pulled out of the coalition
A council spokesman said that new cabinet members would be “appointed soon” and there were no plans for another election before 2025.
READ MORE: Labour Party quits coalition running Oxfordshire County Council
The coalition fallout comes in the wake of a damning report into the county’s troubled special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission earlier this month.
Following the report, council leader Liz Leffman, who is a Liberal Democrat, told Labour Group leader Cllr Liz Brighouse to quit as cabinet member for youth services.
The tension came to a head on Sunday when the Labour Group resigned from the coalition and accused Cllr Leffman of being 'asleep at the wheel'.
A spokesman said: "Labour has a proud history of standing up for children and families with special needs.
“At the county, our leader Cllr Brighouse has secured extra funding to provide education and health care plans faster and for more children.”
He added: "Labour calls on the Liberal Democrats to take their responsibility seriously, instead of passing the blame to Labour members who work harder than anyone.”
READ MORE: SEND parents say a 'week has been lost to politics' - as parties trade blows
Labour’s departure from the coalition leaves it in a precarious state.
Both the Lib Dems and Tories hold 21 seats on the council, but without the support of Labour (14 seats), the Lib Dems will no longer have a majority when making decisions.
Cllr Leffman said she was “deeply disappointed” by Labour’s decision.
She claimed the Lib Dems and the Greens proposed a cabinet reshuffle, with Cllr Brighouse taking an alternative cabinet post, but that Labour instead decided to pull out of the alliance.
She said: "The Ofsted report has shown this portfolio needs the undivided attention of a cabinet member who can overhaul the service and rebuild relations with parents.
“It has been clear since the publication of the report that Cllr Brighouse has lost the support of many parents.”
The Green Party (three seats) remains in the coalition.
Group leader Cllr Ian Middleton said: “It's disappointing that the Labour group did not agree with that, but it's now time to put politics aside and get on with the job of ensuring Oxfordshire's children get the support that they so desperately need."
Conservative leader Eddie Reeves said: "Labour and the Liberal Democrats have failed to run services for our most vulnerable children.
"OFSTED's conclusions are damning, particularly when set against its last inspection in 2019.”
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