I am pleased that as Lead Councillor for Children's Services I have recommended an increase in funding to assist the progress of all children in Reading. There is an increase in Play areas for children, spending on Education is maintained and the capital building programme continues for funding school buildings. Schools spending has risen from £69.506.000 in 2009 to £73.198.000 in 2010-2011.
Universal children's services, assisting all children in Youth clubs, play areas and children's activities has risen from £8m to £8.5,m, an above inflation increase.
What sets this Labour Council from the Tories in other areas is our continued commitment to increase spending on vulnerable children. Children's Social Care has risen from £11.5m to over £13.3m. We are absolutely determined that valuable resources, your council taxes are used to ensure children are kept safe and progress by this council.
Children's disabilities have had an increase in identifying children needing assistance and this has been reflected in the increase in the budget by over £1m. However, we need to continue to try and find national grants, such as Aiming High Grants for children with disabilities to ensure we meet the increased need.
Perhaps you can find a few pennies to help Cultiremix Arts now that they can't use the Abbey Gateway. They do much fine work with the young people of Reading.
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