Speaking at Thursday's meeting of the Children's Services and Education Scrutiny Board, Richard Holt, Conservative Councillor for Blythe ward, described parents making deputations to the Children's Scrutiny Board and Full Council as "grandstanding".
Councillor Richard Holt said:
"We hear a lot of bad news and there's a lot of grandstanding by opposition councillors who bring parents to the full council to give individual complaints about what happens and we don't hear about the good news."
Councillor Samantha Gethen, who was chairing the meeting at the time, said:
"Councillor Holt, can I just say that I'm really disappointed that you feel that parents coming to give their experiences you see as grandstanding.
"I don't like that comment at all."
Councillor Adeyemo, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, also attended the Children's Scrutiny Board meeting as an observer. He said:
"I couldn't believe my ears when I heard Councillor Richard Holt attacking parents who come in front of councillors to ask for our help. Parents who make deputations to Full Council and Scrutiny Boards have often endured years struggling against the system. To describe their deputations as 'grandstanding' is despicable and simply beggars belief!
"This is a very nasty kick in the teeth for all those parents who have spent years struggling against the system and feel like the’ve got nowhere else to turn.
"Well done to Councillor Samantha Gethen for pulling him up. However, he doubled down and carried on with his shameful attack on parents who only want the best for their children.
“It's the care of our most vulnerable children we are talking about here. Where is the empathy?
“First it was Councillor Potts, then Councillor Sandison and now Councillor Holt. Where do the Conservatives get these dinosaurs from? How many are left?
Sadly, this is what we have come to expect from Solihull's out of touch Conservatives.
“Thankfully, not all Councillors think the same about worried parents. Our Liberal Democrat Councillors meet and speak regularly with many parents who are struggling and just want to do the best for their children.
Solihull and Meriden Liberal Democrats
We represent Liberal Democrat Members, Volunteers, Campaigners, Councillors and Candidates within the Local Authority area of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.
The Local Authority area straddles three separate parliamentary constituencies - the Solihull West and Shirley constituency, the Meriden and Solihull East constituency and the two Solihull wards in the Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North constituency.
Liberal Democrats in Solihull and Meriden have a long record of action for the community, fighting hard for local residents on issues that are important to local residents.
