This Council expresses its deep concern at the findings of Ofsted’s recent announced inspection of Leeds City Council’s Children’s Services department.
Council is alarmed about Ofsted’s disturbing conclusions, which follow similarly damning comments arising from an unannounced inspection of the department last year, which found that out of a sample of 23 children case files, seven children were found to be at potential risk of serious harm. Further reports have highlighted that a third of the indicators we are judged against have been deemed to be inadequate. This underlines the concern of everyone in the city over the safeguarding and well-being of our most vulnerable children.
Council affirms that the safeguarding of children should receive the highest priority, and that this Council has once again failed to fulfil this most vital of responsibilities.
Furthermore, Council condemns Executive Board member for Children’s Services Cllr Stewart Golton, and previous incumbents in the role Councillors Richard Brett and Brian Jennings for their continued failure to tackle key weaknesses within the department.
Council therefore resolves that:
1. An urgent report on Ofsted’s inspection be brought to an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Board as soon as possible.
2. In order to ensure full and transparent accountability, Children’s Services Scrutiny Board should be chaired by a member of the opposition.
L MULHERIN
Minutes:
Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.10, with the consent of the seconder, leave of Council was given to alter the fifth and final paragraph of the motion by replacing the word ‘resolves’ with the word ‘urges’, now placed after the numeral ‘1’, and the insertion of the words ‘Resolves that’ after the numeral ‘2’.
It was moved by Councillor Mulherin, seconded by Councillor Blake that
This Council expresses its deep concern at the findings of Ofsted’s recent announced inspection of Leeds City Council’s Children’s Services department.
Council is alarmed about Ofsted’s disturbing conclusions, which follow similarly damning comments arising from an unannounced inspection of the department last year, which found that out of a sample of 23 children case files, seven children were found to be at potential risk of serious harm. Further reports have highlighted that a third of the indicators we are judged against have been deemed to be inadequate. This underlines the concern of everyone in the city over the safeguarding and well-being of our most vulnerable children.
Council affirms that the safeguarding of children should receive the highest priority, and that this Council has once again failed to fulfil this most vital of responsibilities.
Furthermore, Council condemns Executive Board member for Children’s Services Cllr Stewart Golton, and previous incumbents in the role Councillors Richard Brett and Brian Jennings for their continued failure to tackle key weaknesses within the department.
Council therefore:-
1. Urges that an urgent report on Ofsted’s inspection be brought to an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Board as soon as possible.
2. Resolves that in order to ensure full and transparent accountability, Children’s Services Scrutiny Board should be chaired by a member of the opposition.
An amendment was moved by Councillor Golton, seconded by Councillor Bale to
Delete all after ‘This Council’ and replace with
‘notes the conclusions of OfSTED’s recent announced Inspection of Safeguarding and Looked-After Children Services. In particular, it notes the comment on improved outcomes for looked-after children and recognition of the improvements to safeguarding services within the city achieved in the 12 weeks since the previous inspection.
‘Nevertheless, the areas highlighted by the Inspectors as still performing inadequately remain our priority for attention. Therefore, Council commits to maintaining the sustained investment in children’s services to meet the challenges outlined in OfSTED’s conclusions.’
The amendment was carried and, upon being put to as the substantive motion, it was
RESOLVED – That this Council notes the conclusions of OfSTED’s recent announced Inspection of Safeguarding and Looked-After Children Services. In particular, it notes the comment on improved outcomes for looked-after children and recognition of the improvements to safeguarding services within the city achieved in the 12 weeks since the previous inspection.
Nevertheless, the areas highlighted by the Inspectors as still performing inadequately remain our priority for attention. Therefore, Council commits to maintaining the sustained investment in children’s services to meet the challenges outlined in OfSTED’s conclusions.
During the debate on this item, Councillor Lancaster declared personal interests as a governor of Carr Manor High School and as a member of Network Cluster.
On the requisition of Councillors Gruen and Gabriel, the voting on the amendment was recorded as follows:-
YES
Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, Brett, Campbell, A Carter, J L Carter, Castle, Chapman, Chastney, Cleasby, Downes, Ewens, Mrs R Feldman, R D Feldman, R Finnigan, Fox, Gettings, Golton, Grayshon, Hamilton, Harker, Harrand, Hollingsworth, W Hyde, Kendall, Kirkland, Lamb, Lancaster, Latty, Leadley, Lobley, Marjoram, Matthews, Monaghan, J Procter, R Procter, Pryke, L Rhodes-Clayton, Robinson, Schofield, Shelbrooke, Smith, A Taylor, Townsley, Wadsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson.
50
NO
Armitage, Atha, D Atkinson, A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey, Dobson, Dowson, Driver, Dunn, Gabriel, Grahame, Gruen, Hanley, Harington, Harper, A Hussain, G Hyde, Illingworth, Iqbal, Jarosz, J Lewis, Lyons, J McKenna, Morgan, L Mulherin Murray, Nash, Ogilvie, Parker, Parnham, Rafique, Renshaw, Selby, Taggart, E Taylor, K Wakefield, Yeadon.
42
ABSTAIN
Beverley
1
On the requisition of Councillors Gruen and Nash, the voting on the substantive motion was recorded as follows:-
YES
Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, Brett, Campbell, A Carter, J L Carter, Castle, Chapman, Chastney, Cleasby, Downes, Ewens, Mrs R Feldman, R D Feldman, R Finnigan, Fox, Gettings, Golton, Grayshon, Hamilton, Harker, Harrand, Hollingsworth, W Hyde, Kendall, Kirkland, Lamb, Lancaster, Latty, Leadley, Lobley, Marjoram, Matthews, Monaghan, J Procter, R Procter, Pryke, L Rhodes-Clayton, Robinson, Schofield, Shelbrooke, Smith, A Taylor, Townsley, Wadsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson.
50
NO
Armitage, Atha, D Atkinson, A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey, Dobson, Dowson, Driver, Dunn, Gabriel, Grahame, Gruen, Hanley, Harington, Harper, A Hussain, G Hyde, Illingworth, Iqbal, Jarosz, J Lewis, Lyons, J McKenna, Morgan, L Mulherin Murray, Nash, Ogilvie, Parker, Parnham, Rafique, Renshaw, Selby, Taggart, E Taylor, K Wakefield, Yeadon.
42
ABSTAIN
Beverley
1