The Member of Parliament for Southend West is demanding a clear plan for improvement and copy of the original contract between Southend City Council and Vecteo by the end of next month.
Anna has been met with numerous complaints and concerns over the poor performance of Vecteo, the failing provider contracted by Southend City Council, who is responsible for the transport and care of students with special needs.
“The horror stories I have been hearing from parents are unacceptable,” said Anna. “I have been fighting on this issue for months and am still yet to receive a copy of the original contract or a clear plan to improve things by September.”
After multiple meetings with schools, parents, and council officers, the Southend West MP is now tasking Cabinet Members to produce these by the end of next month without fail.
Leaked documents currently being shared on Twitter and Facebook show that Vecteo is operating at a loss on a ‘month-by-month basis’ and that the ‘forecast indicates that the loss from March to August 2022 will be £500k.’
According to the leak, Vecteo is now asking for a £392,000 cash injection from Southend City Council which needs approval by Cabinet.
Following the disastrous leak, Anna said “I do not understand how the current Labour & Lib Cabinet can even be considering propping up this provider without producing a clear path to improvement by September.”
“I have had parents in tears over terrible service standards – delayed pick-ups, reckless handling of medicines, and doors being opened on a moving bus.”
“Residents, parents, and schools now need absolute clarity on not only how Vecteo will be operating going forward, but why they came to run this disastrous contract in the first place.”
Anna has called for a meeting by the end of next month with Southend City Council and will be holding them to account on her requests.
