AN Abertillery vicar voiced his concerns over Blaenau Gwent's education crisis, asking whether the borough can rely on councillors not to get side tracked by political in-fighting.

Councillors met on Tuesday to discuss a damning Estyn report which revealed shocking levels of pupil performance and a systematic failure of management.

As a result, the education inspection body recommended that Blaenau Gwent's education service be placed in "special measures" with a special task force led by Neath and Port Talbot council brought in to oversee improvements.

At Tuesday's meeting, an e-mail from Reverend Patrick Coleman, of St Michael's Church in Abertillery, was read out to councillors by mayor Cllr Mike Bartlett.

In his e-mail Rev Coleman asked whether, in light of the Estyn report, the general public of the borough could rely on elected members to address the far reaching issues, "without being sidetracked by political point scoring".

He added: "I'm absolutely sure this reflects the concerns of us all."

But leader of the council Des Hillman assured Rev Coleman the council would do "everything in our power" to address the issues, while deputy leader of the Labour group Cllr Steve Thomas said: "Where our children are concerned, we will work with whoever we have to work with to get it right".

Councillors later vowed to work together to tackle the borough's education crisis, with leader of the opposition Cllr Hedley McCarthy declaring this was no time for political differences.

Rev Coleman, who is vice chair of governors at Abertillery Comprehensive School, today told the Argus that he was pleased councillors had agreed to set party politics aside, and that everyone in the borough should be willing to pitch in.

He said: "There's plenty of expertise within the community, and I think we would all be very pleased to get on board and help with the effort."