COUNCIL leader Des Hillman has hit out at criticism over the damning Estyn report, saying its not just councillors but teachers and governors who share the blame for failings in education.

Three weeks ago the Argus exclusively revealed Blaenau Gwent council had let down its children when an inspection revealed shocking levels of pupil performance.

As a result the council was stripped of its executive powers over education, placed in special measures and a board from Neath Port Talbot council set up to run the department.

During the fallout, executive member for education Cllr Stephen Bard resigned, but a determined Des Hillman refused to throw in the towel despite rumblings in his own party of a leadership challenge.

Speaking to the Argus about the turbulent weeks that followed and the how the council plans to move forward from the crisis, Cllr Hillman went back to details of the Estyn report which outlined that the council spends £4,740 per primary pupil and £5,317 per secondary pupil compared to the Welsh average of £4,415 and £4,726 respectively.

"Leadership is not just councillors, its about teacher and governors," he said.

"We are the highest spending authority in Wales and are throwing money at the schools left, right and centre but they are not coming up with the goods."

His comments following a devastating month the the independent run council.

Just a week after the Estyn inspection the Wales Audit Office announce it is investigating the running of the authority and this week Mayor Mike Bartlett defected from independent to the Labour group amid fears over his serious misgivings about the independent council.

Two weeks ago the leader was given powers to appoint new members of the executive to try and strengthen the authority, a move which would see independent councillors replaced by Labour members.

As yet he has yet to exercise those powers, sparking rumours that disgruntled independents could join the opposition if pushed out.

Cllr Hillman said he was waiting to consult his independent colleague before making any changes.

"I want to share my views with my others, I want a consensus. "I have the power to do what I want, but Im not a bully.

"I will be consulting with my fellow independents about what to do and changes will mean some posts being offered to Labour councillors.

"This is not a coalition, but needs must."

On Monday night, Cllr Mike Bartlett was officially selected as a Labour Llanhilleth ward candidate for the 2012 council elections, along with Cllr Hedley McCarthy and Cllr Jim McIlwee.