Issue - meetings

Communication with Members on child protection issues and Member ‘need to know’

Councillor Winskill addressed the Committee to raise concerns over late / little communication with Members, particularly in relation to the recent press coverage of a child protection case where a briefing was only provided to Members after the Daily Mail had published an article.  Assurances were sought that all Members would receive advanced briefings and be kept up to date with issues concerning the Local Authority.

The Chief Executive responded to the Committee and explained that he had not been made aware of the case until the article was due to be published in the Daily Mail – this was because the Children’s Services team had been dealing with the case in the proper manner and although the case was complex, it was not thought that this case should be singled out for a briefing over the rest of the caseload.  The Chief Executive also pointed out that Members had been alerted on the Thursday, and the article published the day after.  He informed the Committee that the Judge had not referred to the Authority whilst summing up, although the journalist had stated that he had.

Councillor Reece addressed the Committee and echoed Councillor Winskill’s concerns.  She added that it was important that Members were briefed on issues so that they in turn could respond to concerns from their constituents.

The Chair agreed that Members could not expect a briefing on every case, but reminded officers that it was important that Members’ were considered and essential briefings were provided.  He added that if the Children’s Scrutiny Panel was introduced in the next Municipal Year then that would be best placed to receive reports on cases and ensure that Members’ ‘need to know’ was being considered and applied.