Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Baker, Basu, Bloch, Haley, C.Harris, Khan and Weber. Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Demirci.

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgment of the public interest and if this interest affects their financial position or the financial position of a person or body as described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct and/orif it relates to the determining of any approval, consent, licence, permission or registration in relation to them or any person or body described in paragraph 8 of the Code of Conduct.

Councillor Davis declared a personal interest in Items 3 and 4 as he was employee of the Health Care Commission.

Councillor Kober declared a personal interest in Items 3 and 4 as she was an employee of Family Action in a central policy role. The organisation had been involved in advising on this case.

The Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People gave statements setting out the approach and principles to be applied in rebuilding Haringey’s children’s social services.

The Leader stated that she accepted the findings and recommendations of the Government’s Joint Area Review and was deeply conscious of the tragic event that led to the Inspection.  Whatever changes were necessary would be introduced to enable the council to regain the confidence of local residents.

The Joint Area Review revealed weaknesses we were not aware of from previous inspections and the Council was committed to addressing these as part of our action plan.

The Leader listed a number of areas which management attention would be focussed on and these would be incorporated into the JAR action plan which must be with the Secretary of State on 29^th February,2009.

The Leader concluded that there was no choice other than a complete transformation in the way we discharge our child protection duties. It was vital that councillors were at the forefront of learning the lessons and driving change.

The Leader of the Opposition, and the Shadow Cabinet Member for Children and Young People then spoke in response to the statements.

Other Members of the Council commented on the statements.

RESOLVED:

That the statement from the Leader of the Council, and the Cabinet Member for Children and Young Peoples Service setting out the Council’s approach and principles to be applied in rebuilding Haringey’s children’s social services be noted.

Councillor Gorrie has given notice that he will move in the following terms:

“This Council recognises and fully accepts the findings of the review ordered by the Secretary of State, which identified serious failures of leadership and management in Haringey and its child protection services; notes with alarm the comments from Ofsted that Haringey falsified data; and calls on the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive to seek immediate and significant central government resources and external expertise to deliver the service during this difficult period of review, repair and rebuilding so that at all times the residents of Haringey can have confidence that the most vulnerable children in the Borough are secure and properly looked after”.

MOTION  L (2008/09):

It was moved by Councillor Gorrie and seconded by Councillor Aitken that:

“This Council recognises and fully accepts the findings of the review ordered by the Secretary of State, which identified serious failures of leadership and management in Haringey and its child protection services; notes with alarm the comments from Ofsted that Haringey falsified data; and calls on the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive to seek immediate and significant central government resources and external expertise to deliver the service during this difficult period of review, repair and rebuilding so that at all times the residents of Haringey can have confidence that the most vulnerable children in the Borough are secure and properly looked after”.

An amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Reith and seconded by Councillor Cooke as follows (additional text to the original Motion is underlined):

“This Council recognises and fully accepts the findings of the Joint Area Review ordered by the Secretary of State, which identified serious failures of leadership and management in Haringey and its child protection services; notes that following alarming comments from Ofsted that Haringey falsified data has sought an urgent meeting with them; calls on the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive to seek immediate and significant central government resources and external expertise to deliver the service during this difficult period of review, repair and rebuilding; notes that a meeting was held last Monday with the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership Board to discuss the Joint Area Review and that a meeting on this matter will be held with the Secretary of State tomorrow; and calls for everyone to work together so that at all times the residents of Haringey can have confidence that the most vulnerable children in the Borough are secure and properly looked after”.

Other Members contributed to the debate.

Councillor Gorrie responded as mover of the original motion.

The amendment to the Motion was put to the vote and declared CARRIED unanimously.

The substantive Motion as amended was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED unanimously.