Croydon Council is now trying to cut costs by the back door by pressuring the parents of disabled children into agreeing to give up the school transport services that they depend upon.

Inside Croydon has seen a copy of a letter sent by Tim Pollard, the very, very busy councillor in the ruling Tory group who oversees children’s services (among many other things).

The letter was sent to one worried parent, after they had received a phone call from a council worker asking whether they really needed a school bus service for their disabled child.

Of course, the schools bus service is already in the spotlight after Croydon  ballsed-up provision for disabled children in the borough by handing out a £3.7 million contract to a firm that did not have the required licences to operate the service.

In his letter, Pollard explains that they don’t really want to cut the service. Just “tailor” it.

See what you think. Pollard writes:

“The council is carrying out a survey that is designed to help it work with parents to personalise the SEN transport service so that it is tailored, where  possible, more to individual children’s needs.

“To do this parents of children who use it are being asked questions which, while not always directly related to the service, will help show which families are likely to be most interested in exploring different ideas with us.

“It should be stressed that the project is not being done to make things different for everyone, just for those families who agree that it is the right option.

“If you would like further information about the thinking behind this and why it is being done, please let me know and I will arrange for someone to contact you.

“Tim Pollard
Tel: 020 8251 8500
tim@thepollards.com“

Naturally, if you live in, say, central Croydon, and feel indignant about this treatment of the parents of children with disabilities, you might want to write to your MP to complain.

But just a moment. Who is it that helps Gavin Barwell, the Croydon Central MP, by working (as a volunteer, of course) on his website?

None other than Tim Pollard… (and he doesn’t receive a penny for doing it, either).

Absolutely no conflict of interests there at all then.

#proudtoserve #taxiscandal

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